THE WILLIS Museum is celebrating its 90th birthday today.

It was at 3pm on January 22, 1931, Sir William Wyndham Portal, Vice Lieutenant of Hampshire, officially opened the Basingstoke Museum.

The museum was originally housed in the old Mechanics’ Institute building in New Road.

It was renamed in 1956 as The Willis Museum in honour of local clockmaker Mr George Willis, who was its first curator, chairman and the driving force behind its creation. He was also the mayor of Basingstoke during 1923-24.

In 1984, the museum was moved to its current home in the former town hall at the heart of historic Basingstoke. The Mechanics’ Institute building was demolished later.

It was in 1927 that Mr Willis first made a case for a museum to be created for the town. He was a keen walker and together with his friend, John Ellaway, had amassed a large collection of archaeological finds from various walks that he wanted to share with local residents.

A small display was set up at the Institute and plans for a larger museum were put on hold. In 1929, Basingstoke merchant and former mayor Thomas Allnutt offered £500 towards a museum on condition that the council agreed to match the figure.

With the council funding secured, the museum was opened in 1931 with Willis as Honorary Curator and Ellaway as Deputy Honorary Curator. Willis continued in this position until 1950 and was Honorary Director until his death in 1970.

The current home was partly refurbished in 2009, when the Sainsbury Gallery was added to provide space to host major regional and national exhibitions.

Among the exhibits are the remains of an ancient human known as ‘Basingstoke Man’ and what is considered to be the world’s oldest wedding cake, made in 1898. A life-size bronze sculpture of Jane Austen was also unveiled outside the museum in 2017 to mark 200 years since the Hampshire author’s death. It was created by Basingstoke sculptor Adam Roud.

The Willis Museum continues to function as it was first envisaged by George Willis, as a local museum displaying Basingstoke’s rich history, but has developed further, acting as a cultural, social and educational hub within the town.

Since 2014, the museum has been operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust and hosts a programme of touring exhibitions, as well events, workshops and activities for both residents and visitors to the town to enjoy. Inside, Basingstoke and Deane’s past can be explored, from its rich archaeological heritage to more recent wonders including what is reputed to be the world’s oldest wedding cake – dating to 1898.