16 Feb 2026
Harpenden’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Kirsti Wenn visited the new First World War exhibition at the town’s museum to find out more about the local impact of the conflict.
Cllr Wenn said: “The exhibition is a wonderful tour of how WWI impacted Harpenden, something very few of us see when we study history at school. Looking back through the excellently curated story it was surprising to me that Harpenden, with only a 6,000 population then was host to 4,000 soldiers, using the town as a training camp.
“That must have had a profound effect on Harpenden, and when you add to it that some 200 of Harpenden’s own young men died on the battlefield. Also, sadly likely that one in eight of the soldiers passing through did not return. That puts our current day to day life challenges somewhat into perspective.
“I would like to encourage anyone who has not seen it to pop in. Congratulations to the volunteers who have put on a fabulous presentation.”
The exhibition runs to the end of April. The Museum, in the Eric Morecambe Centre, Rothamsted Park, on the lower floor, is ordinarily open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. A smaller display on WWI is also available during February only in the Foyer 10am-2pm on Mondays to Saturdays.
Harpenden and District Local History Society’s next evening talk is Harpenden and Luton Hoo Estate – Links from the 17th century, given by Felicity Brimblecombe at 8pm, on Tuesday, February 24, at High Street Methodist Church, High Street, Harpenden.
It is free to members and students. Visitors are welcome; non-members are requested to make a £5 donation.
