The Maidenhead Heritage Centre and ATA exhibition and archive is an ‘accredited museum’ which explores and explains the history of Maidenhead and its surroundings, including the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), which was headquartered at White Waltham airfield during World War II. It is normally open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Apart from two part-time paid staff, the museum is run entirely by volunteers.
The mission of the centre is to preserve and celebrate the area’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity Registration No. 1193240) called The Centre for Maidenhead Heritage. The Trustees set the direction for the museum.
Here is our Collections Development Policy.
The building
The centre is located 2 minutes walk from Maidenhead High Street, across the road from the Town Hall, and near to the ‘cultural quarter’ (comprised of the Maidenhead Library and the Desborough Suite).
Until 2006 the museum building was a public house called The Cricketers Arms.
A brief history of the centre
The Museum was founded in April 1993 by Maidenhead Civic Society and Maidenhead Historical and Archaeological Society. It became an independent charity in 1995. It operated from 6 different premises before buying its current building, which was opened to the public in summer 2008. Currently (February 2022), discussions are being held with the local authority regarding a possible relocation to a vacant building at Braywick Park.
