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About Harborough Museum
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Harborough Museum was opened in 1983 and is set in the historic market town of Market Harborough. Founded in the 12th century, the town is still the focus of local commerce and boasts an indoor market, antiques market (Sunday) and a range of unique retail outlets.
The museum is located towards the rear of the Harborough District Council Offices in what was once the Symington’s corset factory.The museum celebrates Market Harborough’s long history as a centre of trade and industry in the heart of the Welland Valley at the crossroads between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
Harborough Museum acts as an information resource for the town and surrounding area. Our knowledgeable staff are pleased to help visitors interested in local history and can draw on an extensive archive of photographs and paper records. See the volunteers page and contact us for various ways you can help at Harborough Museum.
Our displays include:
  • The Hallaton Treasure – a fantastic new exhibition displaying the nationally important Iron Age and Roman find
  • The Battle of Naseby. Market Harborough was prominent before and after the battle and a trail is clearly marked throughout the town. Naseby Battlefield Project website ( http://www.naseby.com/ )
  • Symington Soups, Table Creams and Pea Flour
  • Harboro Rubber Company
  • Falkner’s Boot and Shoe Making Workshop
  • 18th century long case clock made in Harborough
  • 17th century toys found in the local church
  • Railways in Market Harborough
  • Working in the corset factory
  • Harborough during the wars
View the map to see how these exhibitions are laid out inside the Musuem.
Exhibition Fact Sheets are also available.
There is also a programme of temporary exhibitions and events.
This painting, on display in the museum is believed to have been completed 30 years after the battleA Symington CorsetThe Old Grammer School is a beautiful 17th century buildingFalkner's WorkshopWood BossRoman Coin
Our museum shop offers a unique selection of gifts, souvenirs and publications relating to Market Harborough and its history.
The Museum is operated in partnership by Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and the Market Harborough Historical Society.
Highlights of Harborough
As part of the MuBu Project, an MLA Renaissance initiative, the museum is preparing its substantial photographic collection for public use. The museum cares for more than 10,000 photographs relating to the Harborough District and more than a thousand of these photographs can already be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harboroughmuseum/.
Contact Harborough Museum
Address: Harborough Museum. Council Offices, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. LE16 7AG
Find us on the first floor of the council offices, the Museum entrance is in Fox Yard. Location Map
Telephone: 01858 821 085. Email: HarboroughMuseum@leics.gov.uk
Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:30am - 4pm
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays
See our Opening Hours Page
Page Last Updated: 1 February 2012