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BRIAN WARREN 13 March 1935-31 October 2024

Brian spent his working life as a teacher at Oakmere Primary School in Potters Bar. He moved from Cockfosters to Cuffley soon after he started teaching and was very active with the local Scouts there. He also began the interest in local history which became a major part of his life after he retired. He became Chairman of Potters Bar Historical Society and was instrumental in the establishment of Potters Bar Museum. He researched widely, spending much time deciphering ancient documents in the Hatfield House archives, wrote several papers and books and was the go-to person for any information on the history of Potters Bar. His encyclopaedic knowledge will be greatly missed.

The Museum

Potters Bar Museum tells the story of the growth of Potters Bar from a tiny village on the Great North Road to the thriving present day town. The museum opened in 1990 and offers a delightful nostalgic jumble of items relating to Potters Bar and the local area. It is in one of the earliest known sites of interest in the area, facing the timber-framed Wyllyotts Manor, part of which dates back to the 14th century (now used as a restaurant and a public house).

We believe that the site has been occupied since the Iron Age – and certainly since Roman times.

What’s on display?

The Museum includes pottery items and other artefacts which were found during the construction of the Wyllyotts Centre and allow visitors to relive some of the history of the place.

There are some natural history items, including fossils, geological specimens such as Hertfordshire puddingstone and Mesolithic stone implements used by the earliest known inhabitants.

A collection of Roman silver coins found as a treasure hoard in the district is on display together with examples of Roman clay ware made in a kiln excavated in the Parkfield open space in the 1950s.

The Museum also contains many items from other sites in and around Potters Bar and from the motte-and-bailey castle at South Mimms – which for many years lay unrecognised or forgotten.

WWI Display in the Potters Bart Museum — Display case of WWI artefacts, including many items from the destroyed Zeppelins

Merit Display case in the Potters Bar Museum — Display case in the Potters Bar Museum for the products of J & L Randall makers of the Merit toy range

Photo of the Roman Display area in the Potters Bar Museum — Artefacts from the Roman settlement of Potters Bar

Permanent collections

The largest display relates to the Zeppelin L31, shot down over Potters Bar in 1916, showing a number of relics from the destruction of this First World War terror weapon. For more, click here.

There is also a fascinating collection of novelty telephones ranging from 19th century to latest novelty types: some are in working order, and you are welcome you to touch!

Potters Bar & District Historical Society

The Museum stewards are all volunteers from the Potters Bar and District Historical Society, and which is a registered charity (no. 1200797). Hertsmere Borough Council provides the Museum accommodation and also grant-aids most of the running costs.

As well as running the Museum, the PB&DHS runs monthly evening meetings on a variety of historic topics every year from September through to May. They are held in the United Reform Church, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 1BZ. Details and dates are listed on our Events page (click here).

Volunteers

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for members of our community who give their time freely.
We always need more volunteers so if you able to give up a few hours a month/week or occasionally, we would love your help. There is a surprising variety of activities on offer, so whatever your skills or personality, there is something for everyone volunteering at one of our museums.

Our volunteer team is a friendly and welcoming bunch. Whether you are looking to make new friends, or to add a new skill to your CV, there are many different ways to get involved:

Front of house welcoming visitors to the museum and helping them get the most of their visit
Cataloguing objects to helping with displays
Researching our past by delving into our archives to find the hidden stories
Creating and updating our online content
Helping to research, design and curate temporary exhibitions
Helping to keep the museum safe and looking at its best
Facilitating school visits and helping families get the most out of the museum and our events.

Our marvellous volunteers bring our local history to life. We are so proud of what they have achieved.

If you’d like to volunteer, please come and see us at the Museum or click here to contact us.

Featured collections

In addition, the Museum has an Exhibition mounted twice a year – find out more on the Events page (click here), and also on our Facebook page here!

Our stewards are on hand to help with any history enquiry as well as welcoming your stories and reminiscences and provide assistance in identifying objects.

Group Tours and Lectures

Tours to explain the collections and exhibition can be arranged for schools and groups by arrangement with our education officer Click here

BRIAN WARREN 13 March 1935-31 October 2024

Our website is regularly updated, with new material being added all the time

Click here to see our November calendar page of the month and here for our November jigsaw of the month.

PBDHS talks click here for current updated listing.

Did you know we can organise special visits for groups when the museum is closed, click here to contact our education officer.

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