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A historic museum is to re-open to the public.

The 17th Century former Launds Inn on Pole Moor has been closed since 2013, when its owner, Robert Broadbent decided to embark upon an ambitious project to digitise thousands of public records from the local area and create an online library.

Robert, one of over 50 generations to live at the Rochdale Road building, which he previously restored hopes to open the doors of the two room local social history museum this autumn.

During its closure he has completely revamped the exhibitions to showcase the little known lives of people who lived on Scammonden, upper Golcar and Slaithwaite from the 1100s to 1900s.

As reported by the Examiner, Robert, a telecoms worker and building contractor by trade, has also recently bought and restored an adjoining graveyard that was founded by his family in 1781.

Robert Broadbent in the part of his house which he has opened to the public where his family have lived for 900 years

He said: “I wanted to keep the museum closed while concentrating on the digital archiving, which I’ve been working on for the last five years.

“Now a lot of information is available via our website and because we have re-opened the graveyard I thought why not re-open the museum too.

“I’ve totally changed the displays using material that I found while digitising it.”

Dozens of old photographs and paintings line the walls of the museum, along with artefacts made by his descendents.

“We’ve got a large archive of pictures from the area that were taken by some Broadbents in the 19th century, who were contracted to the Huddersfield Examiner,” he said.

Burial books relating to the Pole Moor Graveyard at the Launds Inn Museum

“We also have a painting of carpenter James Broadbend who was born here in 1602 and have three of his chairs on display.

“He sat on the fence during the Civil War was where the money was and wasn’t loyal to anyone, just his pocket.”

Other items on show include instructions on how to make barrels, which were used by Robert’s descendents when the pub was in operation until the 1820s, farming and parish records and details about other local people.

Some of the most intriguing items are the burial books.

Robert said: “Our family made them when the graveyard was opened and now it’s re-opened we’re writing the new names of people who have been buried here.”

He hopes the re-opened museum will attract interest from near and far.

“Through the museum and online directory I hope to preserve the history of the area for future generations and to help family and local history research because history like this is disappearing fast.

“I’m in contact with people from the USA and Australia who have even travelled over on special trips after looking through the online library and hope what is now on offer there will encourage people to come have a look around.”

The opening date will be revealed nearer the time.