[4] It stands on large pilasters with a sheltered area beneath for use as a market or other municipal functions and was completed in 1683.
[3][5] Nikolaus Pevsner said of the building: "Of the free-standing town halls of England with open ground floors this is the grandest".
[8][9] Following the completion of a major restoration of the building, Queen Elizabeth II, visited the town hall, signed the visitor's book and unveiled a plaque in November 1956.
[13] In December 2011, with the help of British Motor Heritage,[14] the last MGB Roadster sports car, which came off the production line in Abingdon in 1980 was lifted through a window 30 feet up, for display in the museum's main gallery.
[15] From 2010 to 2012, the museum and building underwent a two-year restoration programme,[16] partly funded by the National Lottery.