Headstone Manor & Museum has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award after a community heritage project involving thousands of people across Harrow.
The museum has been named as a finalist in the Best Small Museum Project category at the Museums Change Lives Awards 2026 for its Stories of Harrow initiative.
The scheme brought together 16 community groups from across the borough, representing a range of cultural, faith and social communities.
Through workshops, events and other activities, residents were encouraged to explore their heritage, record memories and share stories about life in Harrow.
More than 4,700 people took part during the project.
Thousands take part in Stories of Harrow
Stories of Harrow was delivered by Headstone Manor & Museum in partnership with Harrow Giving.
As well as giving residents the opportunity to preserve their own histories, the initiative has helped broaden the museum’s collections and exhibitions so that more communities are represented.
Organisers say those involved reported increased confidence, stronger connections with others and a greater sense of belonging.
The work also opened up conversations around identity, migration and the different experiences that have helped shape modern Harrow.
The Stories of Harrow exhibition was also highlighted by Harrow Online earlier this year when Harrow Giving launched its 2026 photography competition. The exhibition explored some of the people and stories that have shaped the borough.
Cllr Janet Mote, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, said: “This recognition is a tribute to the residents and community organisations who shared their stories and experiences. Harrow’s strength lies in its diversity, and this project has helped ensure that more voices are represented in our borough’s history.”
Historic Harrow site
Headstone Manor & Museum is set within Headstone Manor Park and is centred around a medieval moated manor house dating back to 1310, believed to be the oldest surviving building in Harrow.
The surrounding park was also named Best Park in Harrow during the first Harrow Online Awards in 2025, following public voting. It remains one of the borough’s Green Flag sites, retaining the national accreditation again in 2026.
Harrow Online has reported regularly on the venue in recent years. In October 2025, the museum secured £419,420 from Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund to help protect its future, support staffing and operations, improve its website and develop new events.
Earlier this year, the museum also hosted its annual May Day at the Manor event, with medieval-themed performances, workshops, music and community stalls among the attractions.
Winners to be announced in November
The Museums Change Lives Awards are organised by the Museums Association and recognise museums making a positive difference to people and communities across the UK.
The popular Harrow spot is shortlisted in the Best Small Museum Project category, which is aimed at outstanding work carried out by museums with an annual turnover of less than £336,000.
Other categories recognise inclusive spaces, wider Museums Change Lives projects and individuals who have helped drive positive change within the sector.
The winners are due to be announced at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 3 November 2026 as part of the Museums Association’s annual conference.
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Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
