Exhibition on the growth of Harpenden displayed at museum

The exhibition, which was the most popular on Harpenden Local History Day, is now at Harpenden's Museum in the Eric Morecambe Centre.

It will be displayed in instalments, changing every few months, with substantial additions made last April.

The exhibition explores the development of Harpenden between 1860 and 1914.

Park View House, Milton Road. (Image: Harpenden & District Local History Society) It reveals how the main industry of cottage-based straw plaiting declined after the British School was built in 1860.

The Harpenden Echo reported in 1919 that "from this time plaiting as a village industry for women decayed".

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David Kendall, trustee and researcher, said: "Whilst Harpenden East Station at Batford, built in 1860, was a truly rural location, the main Station, built in 1869, also was surrounded by fields as Station Road and Arden Grove had not been developed."

Children dancing outside the British School. (Image: Harpenden & District Local History Society) The exhibition also highlights the sale of 1,000 acres of land in 1882, which initiated the development of Harpenden.

The land was divided into multiple plots and sold to various builders.

The land that was put up for sale in 1882. (Image: Harpenden & District Local History Society) The exhibition is open from 11am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Visitors are advised to check www.harpenden-history.org.uk for confirmation of opening times.