Chesterfield Museum

About the museum

Chesterfield Museum is part of the Stephenson Memorial Hall, a Grade II listed building on the corner of Corporation Street and St Mary's Gate. The hall opened in 1879 as the headquarters of an engineering institute and was named in memory of the railway pioneer George Stephenson. In 1889 it was sold to Chesterfield Corporation, which later added a stage and turned the main hall into a theatre. The theatre became the Pomegranate Theatre; the museum is housed in the same building.

The museum tells the story of Chesterfield, from the Romans to the present day, using objects from its collection that show how the town grew and who shaped it. Building work on a multi-million-pound transformation of the whole hall began in December 2023, and the museum has been closed during the works.

The council announced in 2026 that the renovated building will reopen as 1435, a name that refers to the standard rail gauge of 1435 millimetres associated with Stephenson. It will combine a 625-seat theatre with an expanded museum with themed galleries, a gift shop, bars and spaces for events. The first production is planned for December 2026, and the council has not yet published a date for the museum's reopening.

Highlights

• Themed galleries on the story of Chesterfield from Roman times to today
• Museum collection displayed throughout the building, including in the bars
• Grade II listed Stephenson Memorial Hall of 1879
• Newly uncovered stained-glass windows
• Reopening as the 1435 theatre and museum in 2026

Permanent exhibition

• The story of Chesterfield – Themed galleries planned in the reopened museum, showing how the town grew from Roman times to the present through objects from the museum's collection.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Chesterfield Borough Council

Admission & discounts

The museum is closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen later in 2026 as part of the new venue 1435.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The venue 1435 is designed with a lift serving all levels and a Changing Places toilet. In the theatre there are booking spaces for wheelchair users in the stalls and circle, an assisted hearing system and a designated space for an assistance dog. The venue says detailed access information will follow.

Kids & families

The museum is closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen later in 2026 as part of the new venue 1435.

Getting there & parking

The museum is closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen later in 2026 as part of the new venue 1435.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Planned: a gift shop with locally made items, a welcome desk and box office, and two bars (Stalls and Circle) with displays of museum objects.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Flexible meeting rooms, a link gallery and the auditorium are due to be offered for hire at 1435; details are announced as coming soon.

Plan your visit