Museum Objects of the Week 2026

2026 sees the return of our Museum Objects of the Week (last featured in 2022!)

Week 1: Our first exhibit has to be the Oldest Lawnmower in the World (1830s), exhibited by us throughout 2025 until tomorrow, when it will return to its home in Ipswich. The Budding mower made by John Ferrabee of Stroud and is owned by Ransome Jacobsen Ltd.

Curator Clive Gravett says: "It will be missed, but what a fantastic year bringing this unique and rare mower to the public’s attention and giving it the prominence it deserves." #museum #sussex #objectoftheweek

Week 2: Cast Iron Rustic Bench. Dating from 1851s/60s and sold by John Jones, Southwark, London for £1-2s in 1860. One of the first iron benches designed to look like earlier rustic ones that were made of actual branches and twigs.

The original design referred to as the ‘Oak leaf & Acorn’ pattern is attributed to McDowall, Steven & Co, Glasgow in the 1840s. One of our curator Clive’s favourites!