In this evocative but somewhat cramped and damp environment the Museum Society built up displays of the history of Arundel and the surrounding villages.

The Museum's first big opportunity came in 1975 when the former Borough Council Offices at 61 High Street became redundant following the major local government re-organisation.

Arun District Council offered the Museum Society the opportunity to take a lease on this Grade 2* listed Georgian building.

A grant was obtained for a new display on the Port of Arundel, and this was accompanied by a new Town Trail way-marked by ceramic plaques by a local potter.

In 2005, a new formal MLA requirement, Accreditation, was introduced with more demanding benchmarks and the need for extensive documentation and policies to meet specified formats.

Museum Society volunteers, supervised by a consultant curator, undertook the task of packing every item in the collection and transferring these into stores.

For the 2008 and subsequent seasons, Arundel Museum was able to keep a presence in the town by opening in temporary portacabin accommodation, sponsored by local entrepreneurs, next to the Car Park in Mill Road.

In October 2011, it moved again, and again to temporary accommodation, this time in Crown Yard Mews, where the museum took on the role as tourist information point for Arundel.

At the end of March 2011, the Society heard that the second round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £888,000 had been granted, subject to contract, towards the project totaling £1,414,500.