Museum's centenary exhibition told in 100 objects

The death mask of writer Thomas Paine, born near the Ancient House Museum in 1737. He was one of the first people to call for the abolition of slavery

Ancient House Museum A mask made of yellowed plaster of Thomas Paine's face mounted on dark wood. — The death mask of writer Thomas Paine, born near the Ancient House Museum in 1737. He was one of the first people to call for the abolition of slavery

An exhibition charting a museum's history in 100 objects to mark its forthcoming centenary will open on Saturday.

A History of Ancient House in 100 Objects exhibition will officially launch a year of celebrations to commemorate the anniversary on 11 December.

School and community groups have chosen 10 objects from each decade that the museum in Thetford, Norfolk, has been open.

"Their thoughtful responses remind us that objects from the past don't necessarily have to be valuable to be of value," said museum curator Oliver Bone.

A pair of flat spectacles, designed to be worn with wartime gas masks, were given to the museum in the 1970s

Ancient House Museum A pair of flat and round rimmed spectacles in a faded blue case with a note underneath saying how they could be worn with a gas mask. — A pair of flat spectacles, designed to be worn with wartime gas masks, were given to the museum in the 1970s

"One child from the museum's history club chose a flint from the pre-historic site of Grimes Graves, describing it as being 'sharp like a porcupine, as dark as a storm cloud'.

"Others have been chosen because they've triggered personal memories."

The exhibition - with objects picked from the museum's 7,000-strong collection - will include the death mask of Thetford-born political revolutionary Thomas Paine and a hoard of Roman silver coins, discovered when the town bypass was being built in 1989.

The exhibition, which has received National Lottery funding, reflected the "richness and diversity" of the local area, according to Norfolk county councillor Margaret Dewsbury.

"Like the museum itself, Thetford may be relatively small, but it nevertheless encompasses a huge sweep of human history," said Dewsbury.

Maharajah Duleep Singh outside his home, Elveden Hall in Suffolk

Ancient House Museum Maharajah Duleep Singh with walking stick. — Maharajah Duleep Singh outside his home, Elveden Hall in Suffolk

The museum was founded by the son of the last Sikh emperor of the Punjab, Duleep Singh.

His son, Prince Frederick, gifted the house to the people of Thetford in 1921, before it opened as a museum three years later.

Duleep Singh became ruler of the kingdom at the age of five, but was removed from the throne after Britain annexed the Punjab in 1849.

He arrived in England aged 15 and later made his home at Elveden Hall in Suffolk.

The Prince of Wales, seated at the doorway in a light cap and dark beard, with the Maharajah, fourth from right, in about 1875

Ancient House Museum Shooting party at Elveden Hall. — The Prince of Wales, seated at the doorway in a light cap and dark beard, with the Maharajah, fourth from right, in about 1875

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