The Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group (MMHG) is a Scottish charity, recognised by the Inland Revenue and registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).  Its current constitution was formally adopted on 15th November 2010.  Its forerunner, Musselburgh Museum Steering Committee, was set up in the mid 1980s, with representatives from various local groups and interested individuals.  The aim was to campaign for, and establish a museum in the town, to preserve its rich history and to educate its inhabitants.

From the early 1990s, the Committee received support, advice, office and storage space from East Lothian Council’s Museums Service.  From those early days artefacts were brought in by local residents, stories were related and the basis of the Collection relating to Musselburgh was established.  This continues to the current day.

While continuing to campaign for a permanent museum, the Steering Committee staged major exhibitions every one or two years taking particular themes, viz Roman Inveresk; the Mighty Mills (the town’s industrial heritage); Wildlife; Fishing; Pastimes; Wartime; and multi-themed events for the Millennium and Homecoming Scotland 2009.

In 2009, East Lothian Council asked the Steering Committee whether it would be willing to enter into a formal agreement to manage and operate a museum in Musselburgh, if the Council adapted and made available one of its buildings close to the Old Town Hall. Representatives worked with members of the Museums Service, planners and design consultants to develop the museum proposal.  Musselburgh Museum opened to the public in April 2011 and receives plaudits from individuals and organisations alike.

In the meantime, the Group’s developed and expanded its constitution to bring it up to date and fit it for the future.  The new constitution and change of name was adopted in November 2010 and received OSCR agreement.

Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group is an entirely voluntary organisation.  There is an ongoing volunteer recruitment programme.  Museum Front of House volunteers are staffing the Museum.  Others are helping behind the scenes with accessioning items for the Collection. Still others undertake trustee roles to manage the Group and the Museum.