Calne Heritage Centre

In the early 1990s, driven by the vision of the Calne Town Council and the Calne Project, a dedicated working party was formed with a mission: to establish a heritage centre in Calne. Their first triumph came in 1992 with the exhibition ‘A Taste of Harris,’ celebrating the rich history of the Harris bacon industry in Calne. The exhibition was a resounding success, and some of its treasures are now proudly displayed in the Centre.

For a decade, the working party tirelessly searched for the perfect home for the Centre. Their quest ended with an agreement to lease the historic Carnegie Building from the Calne Town Council. This building, which had housed the local library until 2001, was acquired by the Council from the County. Recognizing the community’s desire to keep the building in public use and its ideal suitability for the Heritage Centre, it became our cherished home, officially opened by the Earl of Kerry on October 5, 2004.

The Centre is a vibrant part of the community, hosting exhibitions from local groups, including the whimsical papier-mâché pigs from the Calne Music and Arts Festival. It also proudly displays the Calne Community Quilt, created as part of the Priestley250 project, celebrating Dr. Joseph Priestley’s discovery of oxygen in 1774.

The Centre is a testament to the dedication of our Trustees and the invaluable support of volunteers from the Friends of the Centre, who manage and staff it with unwavering passion.