Two further Society aims were 1) To publish an updated History of Wollaston, which came to fruition in 1977 with the publication of David Hall’s book, ‘Portrait of a Village’, and 2) To create a Museum, this latter aim being more in the nature of a pipe dream than actual reality. However, in the early 1970’s the old Congregational Chapel in High Street came onto the market in a state of serious neglect, having been totally gutted by fire. By great good fortune, Messrs Shelton, Orsborn bought the derelict property, and in a Deed of Trust dated 1974 transferred it to the infant Society for the purposes of establishing a Museum. Great excitement prevailed, but some trepidation too, seeing that accrued funds stood at less than £500, but nevertheless plans were drawn up. A Constitution was adopted in 1976 and the Society became a Registered Charity, then following the sad and untimely death of Chris James, Mr Paul Gilbey took on the office of Chairman and launched a Museum Appeal Fund. Generous sums were donated by the two major industrialists of the time, Messrs. Griggs and Scott Bader, but donations also flowed in from many other sources in the village. Early records show that Society members sold everything from wood to wellingtons in an effort to boost funds. Finally, renovation work was begun and whilst this was still under way the Society was given the chance to purchase a small cottage across the yard which had an Improvement Notice registered against it. Although it was a struggle to secure funds the cottage was duly bought, which in retrospect was a very wise decision. It was a momentous day on 17th November 1979 when the Museum was officially opened by Mr Ray Griggs, and after the ceremony there were glasses of sherry all round for members and guests. In 1980, another feature of significant interest was added to the Museum site, when a major part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument known as Beacon Hill was entrusted to the Society by Miss Dorothy Watts.