The museum was founded by William Masters, a local nurseryman specializing in exotic plants, who went on to serve as Hon.

[1] The museum was in the medieval Poor Priests' Hospital with two adjoining buildings, backing on to the River Stour.

In 1373 the solar and undercroft were added opposite the present gateway, to give privacy on the upper floor to the master of the hospital.

[citation needed] A campaign was led by local institutions, including Canterbury Archaeological Trust, to keep it open.

There was a display of bones found locally, with forensic analysis and reconstructed faces from the Meet the Ancestors show.

[15][16][17] It was made in the form of a pendant, is ascribed to the silversmith St Dunstan (909−988 AD), and could probably only indicate the time accurately at noon.

The Rupert Bear Museum involves activities for children on the themes of play, entertainment and education.

It was an interactive event with the public chatting to astronomers and an astrodome showing a 3D tour of night sky and Solar System.

[30][31] Oliver Postgate, the other creator of Bagpuss and the Clangers, lived locally and died in 2008, but his creations were given to the museum during his lifetime.