Trustee steps down at museum

Richard has served as a trustee since 1985 and continued a long line of family connection with the museum, beginning with his grandfather William Muir MA, JP, who was one of the original trustees when these were appointed in 1926. William Muir was also part of the subcommittee responsible for finding a new central site for a permanent museum in the town, which eventually lead to the museum’s current location on the High Street.

Richard’s father Sir Edward Muir KCB, MA, FSA, was the longest serving president of Haslemere Museum, from 1964-79; combined from 1966 with his chairmanship of the Management Committee and his role as trustee from 1974. He also undertook other public work including member of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries and Chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for England.

As the third generation of his family to be involved in the museum’s management, Richard joined the Museum Management Committee in 1983, becoming in turn trustee, chairman and president, three offices held by both his father and grandfather. In addition, Richard represented the museum on the Council of Surrey Record Society of which he became a vice president, Council of Surrey Archaeological Society of which he was president from 1994-98 and on the Committee of Surrey Local History Council. He is currently president of the Haslemere Natural History Society.

Melanie Odell MBE, chairman of the Museum, said: “It is with regret that we accept the retirement of Richard Muir from the Board of Trustees of Haslemere Educational Museum. His service of more than 30 years has continued his family involvement with the Museum since the 1920s when the Museum became a formal organisation. His historical knowledge of the Museum, Haslemere and natural history will be greatly missed as will his gentlemanly and kind hearted manner. We would like to thank him for his inspiration and leadership and together with his wife Christine for their dedication and enthusiasm over the decades.”