[7][8] Renamed after the founder in 1956, the Willis Museum was expanded to cover the town and surrounding area's history, from the Upper Cretaceous Age through to the development experienced during the 1960s and 1970s.

[9] Displays covers local history, including remains of an ancient human known as "Basingstoke Man"[10] and what is rumoured to be the world’s oldest wedding cake.

[14] In January 2018 the museum faced criticism after specialist job roles were cut as part of a restructure of the wider Hampshire Cultural Trust service.

[19] The life-sized bronze figure was created by sculptor Adam Roud[20] as part of a series of events marking the 200th anniversary of the writer's death.

[21] The events were credited with boosting the previously falling number of visitors to the museum, though it is unknown for how long or successfully this effect will last.

[23] The statue was unveiled at a public ceremony attended by civic figures as well as Austen fans (or "Janeites") in Regency costume.