Harpenden History Displayed: Village to Town Transformation Explored

The local history exhibition is now at the museum. It is located within the Eric Morecambe Centre. The exhibition was popular during Harpenden Local History Day.

Displays will be presented bit by bit. Major additions were included last April.

Harpenden grew rapidly between 1860 and 1914. The population went from 2,000 to 6,000. Roger Butterworth is the chairman. He explained the growth factors of the town. The railway’s arrival spurred the town’s expansion. Farmland turned into housing areas.

Harpenden’s path differed from other towns. Wheathampstead and Redbourn were similarly sized in 1860. Development took place around the village green. Southdown and Batford also experienced related changes.

Harpenden’s center is still called “the village” today. Its layout is very similar to its layout 150 years ago. Dr. Philip Smith is a trustee and a researcher. He stated Bowling Alley was a separate hamlet. Its size was like Hatching Green in those times.

The Midland Railway changed Bowling Alley drastically. The Skew Bridge cut through the heart of that hamlet. The exhibition is available on certain days. Visit it Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM.