The Swaledale Museum building was erected in 1836 by the Methodists of Reeth as their first purpose built school. After use as a day school, and from 1862 as a Sunday school, it became a billet for the Army Reconnaissance Corp during World War II and then a recreation room for the Reeth Wesley Guild. In 1973 it was turned into a museum and since then it has grown in range and scale. Thanks to Tim Laurie a section on local archaeology was created in 2008, incorporating his collection of his finds. In 2004 Helen and Alan Bainbridge took the Museum over, and are determined to keep it open to the public, for both visitors and locals. It remains a private museum, run independently with the aid of volunteers. The collection and archive continues to grow. Read more about the Swaledale Museum at swaledalemuseum.org