Home
Welcome to this wonderful place
The Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, one of the oldest learned societies in the Kingdom and the earliest provincial association for the encouragement of antiquarianism, was founded by Maurice Johnson (1688-1755), “The Antiquary”, of Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding.
The Museum is currently closed for building works until spring 2027. We invite everyone to visit us at Ayscoughfee Hall, 10:30-4, Wednesday to Sunday.
“Visited from Boston last week and found your museum an absolute gem and the members so friendly, helpful and informative.”
Exciting new exhibitions exploring the history of ‘Science’ and ‘Navigation’ to open in Spalding
Britain’s oldest provincial learned society, Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, is launching two new exhibitions at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum this spring. Opening on Friday 27th March 2026, they will display a carefully curated range of artefacts, focusing...
Don’t miss our March 2026 Lectures
Don’t miss the last two events in Spalding Gentlemen’s Society’s spring lecture season. Everyone is welcome to attend these insightful talks by leading heritage experts. 6th March – ‘The Worshipful Company of Stationers, Past, Present...
welcome along
What We Do
Founded in 1710, the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society is Britain’s oldest surviving provincial learned society. Since 1955, its charitable purpose has been: ‘To promote and foster among the public knowledge, appreciation and the study of …’ what we now call the Arts, Sciences and Humanities. It is a membership society that welcomes women, notwithstanding its history and name. Membership is open to anyone aged eighteen or over.
Our Blog
News and Articles
Exciting new exhibitions exploring the history of ‘Science’ and ‘Navigation’ to open in Spalding
Britain’s oldest provincial learned society, Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, is launching two new exhibitions at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum this spring. Opening on Friday 27th March 2026, they will display a carefully curated range of artefacts, focusing...
Don’t miss our March 2026 Lectures
Don’t miss the last two events in Spalding Gentlemen’s Society’s spring lecture season. Everyone is welcome to attend these insightful talks by leading heritage experts. 6th March – ‘The Worshipful Company of Stationers, Past, Present...
