Established in 1892, it originally resided in the Brassey Institute (now the town's library), but moved to its current location in 1927.

[1] As of 2019[update] it had around 97,000 objects of local history, natural sciences, fine and decorative arts, and world cultures.

Other galleries include local wildlife and a Native North American collection, featuring the Plains and Sub-Arctic areas and the life of Hastings-born conservationist Archibald Belaney, who adopted the name "Grey Owl".

The building has a distinctive character with a crenelated roof line, columned loggia, oriel window and studded oak doors.

Baksh and Juma were skilled woodcarvers brought over from the Punjab specially to do the wood carving required for the exhibition.

Together with the archaeology and decorative art collections they tell the story of the life and development of Hastings and the surrounding area from the 1500s to the present day.

There is also a significant number of commemorative and civic items, photographs, guide books and printed ephemera.

[7] The museum has a large collection of papers relating to Hastings, the local area and significant individuals.

The world cultures collection includes objects from India, Burma, China, Japan, Indonesia, the Middle East, the Balkans, Scandinavia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, South American and North America.

The museum is also home to the large collection of Colin Taylor, including a selection of high-quality items from the Subarctic region.

[11] The museum collection relating to Grey Owl, who was born and brought up in Hastings in the early years of the 20th century and adopted a Native American persona.

There is a large number of flints from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age including those excavated by J Moore in Hastings Country Park.

The Entomology and Invertebrates collections are limited to butterflies, moths and other insects, shells, corals and sponges.

The collection has many examples of dinosaur fossils including footprints from the Cretaceous rocks at Fairlight and Galley Hill.

[15] The museum's fine art collection consists largely of topographical paintings, drawings, prints and photographs of Hastings and the surrounding are.

The museum also has a smaller collection of 20th century British art and examples from the main European Schools.

[2] On 17 March 2020, the museum closed to the public due to the lockdown introduced by the UK Government to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

[20] The digital museum produced a range of activities including immersive game experiences, community art projects and creative workshops.

[22] The museum also launched a contemporary collecting project to record peoples' everyday experiences of lockdown.