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War museum in North Yorkshire goes up for sale

Image: Eden Camp Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Tony Roberts)

The second-generation owners of Eden Camp Modern History Museum say it is time to pass the reins to a new owner

A war museum in Yorkshire has gone up for sale as its custodians say it is time to ‘pass the reins’.

Originally a prisoner of war camp, Eden Camp was built on the outskirts of Malton, North Yorkshire in early 1942 to accommodate Italian POWs. The space was purchased in 1985 by Stan Johnson, and the Eden Camp Modern History Museum opened in 1987.

Johnson’s son and daughter have been custodians of the museum since his passing.

Howard Johnson, son of the late Stan Johnson, explained: “Since our father passed away in 2015, my sister and I have continued as custodians of this incredible business.

“We have consistently invested in improving the facilities and customer experience and have a fantastic team we work with here, but we too are at that time in our lives where it makes sense to pass the reins to new owners.”

Paula Peace, Director and daughter of the late Stan Johnson, added: “Following the announcement of the planned sale, it is very much business as usual. We are busy preparing for another fantastic year after the success of 2024, welcoming visitors to explore the collections and enjoy a host of events. Our sights are very much set on February half-term and the season opening in March.

“Howard and I are extremely proud that this has been a family business for 40 years and want to ensure Eden Camp is being sold with the intention that it stays as a museum for future generations to enjoy and continues to safeguard the incredible artefacts remain as part of this unique collection.”

Today, the museum tells the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945. It has in recent years added a new ‘Blitz Experience’, a remodelled entrance, new exhibition spaces and the Heritage Exhibition Hall.

The museum attracts around 125,000 visitors each year, including 25,000 children visiting via school groups. Last year the museum recorded its highest number of visitors on record.

It currently has events scheduled until October 2025. A Cultural Recovery Fund grant has allowed the museum to begin making its digital collection available online.

The space is being sold by Christie & co. Its Head of Leisure & Development Jon Patrick said “With over 105,000 items of memorabilia we can see Eden Camp appealing to a national and even international buyer audience, such is the interest in the subject matter.

“[We] envisage Eden Camp being of interest to other museums, collections and collectors and whilst not forming part of the operating business itself, our clients own a number of rare and valuable military vehicles outside the company structure on offer, which could be made available to purchase or lease by way of separate negotiation.”