Abergavenny Local History Society

Abergavenny Local History Society

In 1959 the Friends of Abergavenny Museum committee saved the crumbling hunting lodge at Abergavenny Castle from demolition and raised funds to create the first Abergavenny Museum. The committee went on to found the Abergavenny Local History Society.

Today the society has almost 400 members. Members enjoy monthly talks and summer visits to places of interest. Some also volunteer to provide a human presence at St Mary’s Priory Church.

The museum was handed to the county council in 1971. More recently, the society created a Victorian-themed garden to complement the museum's Victorian collection.

An annual subscription costs £15 per person due in September. Please complete separate membership forms (available to download on the website) for each person in the household. Students can apply for free membership. Membership is half price from June to September.

Website of Abergavenny Local History Society

HiPoints collection:
Norman castle at Abergavenny - the castle's medieval history, including a Christmas massacre
Royalist castle at Abergavenny - the castle's fate in the Civil War, culminating in destruction
Roman Fort site - where a bronze strap-hook with Celtic pattern was found
St Mary's Priory Church - townspeople saved the church by petitioning Henry VIII
Tithe barn - its large size reflects the wealth of the area which paid tithes to the Benedictine priory
Suffragette protest site - women were fed up with the Liberals in 1912
Former French masonic chapter - founded by officers who were prisoners of war
Angel Hotel - Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's deputy, occasionally called in for a drink during the Second World War
King's Head Hotel - used by volunteer infantry who fought in the Napoleonic Wars
Monmouthshire Regiment memorial - recalls 311 who died at Ypres and other war casualties
Abergavenny FWW memorial - read details of the people named on it
Former police station - when there were 11 police officers in the town
Former school in old church - read how naughty boys at King Henry VIII school were punished
Swan Hotel - the ballroom used for soldiers in 1940s collapsed when new owners took away supporting pillars
Owain Glyndŵr’s entry point - where the rebel army entered in 1404 before razing the town
Railway Inn - had a special licence to serve alcohol to rail staff after 6am
Skirrid Mountain Inn, Llanfihangel Crucorney - the Skirrid was also known as the Holy Mountain
PoW camp site, Llanfihangel Crucorney - former German prisoner married an ex-Land Girl and raised 7 children
Abergavenny Coliseum - opened 1913 as a cinema, where the manager often gave a commentary on silent films
Market Hall - built in 1870s with large roof resting on six iron posts. Clock given by industrialist Crawshay Bailey
Nevill Street - wigs were made in the town in 18th century. Hair-bleacher James Jones lived in Nevill Street
Flannel Street - the name reflects a local industry. Part of a loom was still in situ in 1960
Workhouse buildings - erected in the 1830s for 150 to 189 paupers but often held more