New museum to open in South Downs National Park
February 11, 2025
A new museum opens its doors in Lewes this month and is inviting the community to get involved.
Thomas Paine: Legacy is opening a museum and Centre for Democracy at Bull House, which was Paine’s Lewes home from 1768 to 1774. By drawing attention to Paine’s vision, and Sussex’s role in fostering democratic thought, the Centre will use history to empower present and future citizens. The centre will include a museum, education programmes, creative workshops, events, exhibitions, and a community gathering space.
This 18th-century thinker and writer was born in Thetford, Norfolk, and lived in Lewes for six years. His time in Lewes was hugely influential on Paine and is where he wrote his first political pamphlet The Case of the Officers of Excise. This was part of the first national unionised action anywhere in the world.
He now holds a pivotal place in American history. Arriving as a penniless immigrant in Philadelphia in November 1774, Paine’s life changed when he published Common Sense in January 1776. This pamphlet lit the touch paper of revolution and galvanised the colonists to fight for a new nation, a nation that Paine himself would name the ‘United States’.
Paine is well known in the States, featuring in museums, street names and Hamilton the Musical, but is not currently well known in the UK. As well as his participation in both the US and French Revolutions, he also produced important social justice writings that proved well ahead of their time, including The Rights of Man.
The new museum will be having a soft launch to gather community engagement before the official opening later this year. Bull House will open its doors from 20 to 22 February from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free.
Each day there will be a short history presentation by the Director at noon and at 2pm there will be an opportunity to hear more about the plans for the centre and contribute ideas. For further details, and to hear about volunteering opportunities, please email info@thomaspainelegacy.org