It is thought to have been named after a large Oak tree which stood in front of the house until early last century, although its name may equally derive from the oak woodlands which originally surrounded the house.

When Oak House was built the centre of West Bromwich was about a mile and a half to the North comprising a small cluster of buildings around All Saints, the medieval parish church. The church still stands, with some of its original fabric intact. In the scattered rural parish there were a number of small hamlets of which Lyndon was the largest. “Bromwich Heath” covered a vast expanse of land between Lyndon and Oak House over the present High Street, and open fields straddled the Walsall Road around Lyndon and north to Stone Cross.

Other buildings in this 16th century rural community survived, notably the Manor House in Hall Green Road dating from the 13th century, and Hill House in Dagger Lane.

The original owners of Oak House are not known, but the family most closely associated with it are the Turtons who were living there by 1634.

The house remained in the Turton family until 1768 when it passed to William Whyley “natural son” of John Turton “gentleman” John Wesley preached at the house on two occasions in the late 18th century when it was in the ownership of William Whyley. It remained in the Whyley family until 1837, and, following a succession of owners Reuben Farley (three times Mayor of West Bromwich) purchased the property.

Alderman Reuben Farley was one of the borough’s greatest benefactors. He purchased the Oak House with the intention of making it his private residence, but resolved to present it to the town as a museum. The leading architects in West Bromwich, Messrs Wood and Kendrick, were employed for the task of restoring the house.

Skilled craftsmanship ensured the outstanding quality of the restoration and the museum was formally opened on 25th July 1898.