Ashford Museum

 

 

 

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History of Ashford Museum

The Museum was founded in 1989 and is housed in the building which was originally designed and built by Sir Norton Knatchbull in 1635 for the newly formed Ashford Grammar School. It has been restored but many of the original features both outside and inside remain.

To the right a picture shows the original building in its former glory situated in the churchyard with schoolboys playing outside. The requirements to  new pupils were to be able to read and write whereby maintaining the exclusivity of the school. The Grammar School  reached its peak of popularity in the late 1700's due to its good reputation; the school was extended as a result.

Headmasters of Ashford Grammar School

  • 1635 - Baptist Piggott M.A.
  • 1657 - Simon How M.A.
  • 1673 - Strangford Viall M.A.
  • 1679 - John Drake M.A.
  • 1712 - Richard Bate M.A.
  • 1749 - Stephen Barrett M.A.
  • 1764/6 - William Hodson M.A.
  • 1773 - Charles Stoddart M.A.
  • 1812 - John Nance M.A. & D.D.
  • 1832 - Ephraim Hemmings Snoad M.A.
  • 1856 - Robert Henry Wright M.A.
  • 1867 - Francis Avarne Dewe M.A.

However this did not last, the school eventually closed in 1870/1 possibly due to a poor number of students. The buildings and the lands belonging to the school were sold and the money was used to provide a new grammar school in Hythe Road, Ashford.

The building is also known as Dr Wilk's Memorial Hall. It is owned by Ashford Borough Council but is leased to the Museum Society free of charge. The Museum is governed by a constitution and is a registered charity (No.298060). The trustees act as the Museum Management body but the day-to-day running of the Museum is entrusted the the Museum Society Committee.