Drayton Civic Society was formed in 1975 with aims to protect and encourage what is best in the built environment and to conserve and reveal the town’s history. Some of the achievements of the Society over the years have included:
• Setting up the Town Centre Conservation Area
• Providing and mounting historic wall plaques on prominent buildings
• Making Commendation Awards for buildings or developments which have enhanced the appearance of the town to encourage community pride
These days, the primary way Society members safeguard the history of our town is by running and maintaining the Town’s Museum.
In 2005 Drayton Civic Society bought 53 Shropshire Street – a Grade II listed, timber framed building, dating from the 17th Century, with some financial help of Grants from Lottery and Market Towns funding.
It’s quite some achievement for a small market town like Market Drayton to be able to boast its own independent Museum and Resource Centre. It’s a great asset for the town and an achievement that the Civic Society is extremely proud of.
The Civic Society is a Registered Charity and receives no regular funding for the Museum, relying on income from Membership Fees and charitable donations, including any grants we are eligible for.
Civic Society membership fees go directly to help us keep the Museum open to the public to enable us to share this wonderful resource and keep the history of our town and its people alive.
The Civic Society and Museum extends far beyond the walls of 53 Shropshire Street. We host school visits, help people research their families and properties, lead historical tours of the town, have our own social group and run members events and also respond to queries about Market Drayton from around the world.
Join Us
Drayton Civic Society is a membership organisation which welcomes anyone interested in the past, present and future of Market Drayton and the surrounding area.
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
- You will have access to our Archives for local and family history research
- You will be supporting our aim to provide a safe home for the important documents and artefacts relating directly to Market Drayton’s history
- You will receive regular updates on what’s going on at the museum and invitations to our social occasions
- You will have the opportunity to join us in our work preserving Drayton’s past for the future
Even if you can’t attend our meetings or join in the practical projects, by joining the Society you will be enabling us to carry on funding this wonderful town resource.
Current membership Fees for 2024
– Membership runs from 1st April to 31st March each year.
New rates to apply from 1st April 2024
| £12 per person | Individual Membership (includes 1 vote on proposals at the AGM) |
| £15 per Household | All members at the same address (incl. 2 votes on proposals at AGM) |
| £15 Educational Groups | eg: schools, history groups (incl. 1 vote on proposals at AGM) |
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