Market Drayton Museum is a place where our past is treasured and where today, our welcoming team of Volunteer Stewards seek out and tell the story of our town and its people.
The Museum is run by Drayton Civic Society, it is a Registered Charity and is staffed by our friendly and knowledgeable Volunteers.
Our Museum is a genuine Town Museum and tells the ‘Story of Drayton’ with a variety of displays in informal settings. Everything in the Collection relates directly to Market Drayton, was donated by the people of Drayton, used by them and often manufactured by them.
Come and explore the displays for yourself, talk to one of our enthusiastic Museum Stewards who will share their knowledge and breathe life into the objects on display. We are not the usual ‘Do Not Touch’ museum, you can handle the exhibits to get closer to the history of our town and have a seat so you can take your time to learn about the many interesting stories there are to discover about Market Drayton.
Gallery One ‘The Story of Drayton’ – key events in the town’s development
Gallery Two Yearly topic – for 2024: ‘Breweries and Public Houses’
Gallery Three A group of 3 rooms displaying an eclectic collection of objects of everyday life and work
Visitors are encouraged to explore for themselves and are welcome to pick up and examine the objects on display, and children welcome to play with the toys.
The Museum is housed in a 17th century timber framed building, which also has its own history as a former home and being at various times a butcher’s shop, a bicycle shop and a TV and Radio Sales and Repair shop. It was purchased by the Civic Society in 2005 and is a listed building, as well as the proud store for our town’s heritage, preserving Drayton’s past for the future.
We run on ‘Volunteer Power’ and rely on charitable donations to maintain and develop the Museum.
There are 3 ways you could help:
1- Volunteer; 2- Make a Donation; 3- Join the Civic Society
Want to find out more? Read on ……
Volunteer
Our Team of friendly and enthusiastic Volunteers are keeping Drayton’s history safe for future generations and enabling people to access the many artefacts and documents that tell stories of Drayton’s journey through time.
The Museum is run entirely by Volunteers like us. We are a friendly bunch with different interests, personalities and reasons for volunteering at the Museum but we all have one thing in common – we love welcoming visitors to our museum and using our different skills to uncover and re-tell the many interesting stories about our town. Along the way, we have lots of fun, so if you have considered volunteering with us … this could be your sign to get in touch!
Whatever your experience, whatever your reasons, there’ll be something you can help with and you are very welcome to come and join us!
To find out more
Call into the Museum during opening hours, 53 Shropshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 3DA
Email: draytoncivicsociety@gmail.com
Phone: Carole on 07734 859 657
Donate
Drayton Museum is a Registered Charity (no. 504887) and every penny we receive in donations goes towards maintaining and developing the museum.
We have always relied on the generous support of the people of Market Drayton and beyond to support our Volunteers’ work safeguarding the many historic documents and artefacts we hold in safekeeping.
Any donation you make would go directly towards helping our dedicated Volunteers continue to tell ‘The Story of Drayton’, providing an insight into the history and way of life of the people of Market Drayton and the surrounding area.
You will be playing your part in helping to provide a safe home for its history and enabling us to carry on researching into its past, finding out more of the fascinating story of this little Market Town.
To make a donation
- by Bank Transfer: to Drayton Civic Society, reference – Donation Sort Code 01 05 48, Account No. 06337287
- by cheque made out to Drayton Civic Society and posted to Drayton Museum, 53 Shropshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 3DA
- in cash inside the museum when it is open or via the post box at the rear entrance when it is closed
Every contribution, of any size, makes an important difference and is very gratefully received.
Civic Society Membership
A great way to support the Museum and have a say in the way it is run is to become a member of Drayton Civic Society. Membership fees are used to support the work of the Civic Society in safeguarding the history of our town by running and maintaining the Town’s Museum.
We also take our history out to other groups and societies, host school and group visits, help people research their families and properties, lead historical tours of the town and also respond to queries about Market Drayton from all over the world.
As a member of Drayton Civic Society,
You will:
- be making a positive contribution to keeping our Town Museum open and have a say in how it is run
- have access to our Archives for local and family history research
- be supporting us in our aim to provide a safe home for the important documents and artefacts relating directly to Market Drayton’s history
- receive regular updates on what’s going on at the museum and invitations to our social occasions
- have the opportunity to join us in our work uncovering and preserving Drayton’s past for the future
Even if you can’t attend our meetings or join in the practical projects, by becoming a member of the Society you will be enabling us to carry on funding this wonderful town resource.
If you would like to become a member of Drayton Civic Society, please contact our Membership Secretary at Drayton Museum, 53 Shropshire Street, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3DA, to request a membership pack, or email draytoncivicsociety@gmail.com