Walter Potter was believed to have been inspired by the work of Hermann Ploucquet displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Walter Potter would have been 16 years old at the time. While he may not have seen the exhibit in person, the book illustrating Ploucquet's anthropomorphic pieces was widely distributed and numerous reproductions were featured in several popular periodicals of the day. Interestingly, the print reproductions of these pieces were embellished with more decor than the actual displays, which would be in keeping with the greater detail of Potter's tableaux.

WP was married to Ann Stringer Muzzell (from West End Farm at nearby Henfield) and had 3 children, Walter J., Annie and Minnie.

1835 - (2 July) Walter Potter born in Bramber, Sussex.

1854? - Starts producing the mounts that are ultimately used in Potter's first grand scale tableaux, "The Original Death & Burial of Cock Robin".

1861 - "The Original Death & Burial of Cock Robin" first displayed at White Lion Inn (later renamed The Castle Hotel), owned by his father.

1866 - Potter's business moves to larger quarters next to the White Lion Inn.

1868 or 9 - Son, Walter J. born.

1877 or 8 - Daughter, Minnie born.

1880 - Business moves to nearby, specially built building, Bramber Museum.

1914 - Potter suffers from a stroke in the early months of the 1914 War and never fully recovers.

1918 - (21 May) Walter Potter dies at 83 and is buried in Bramber churchyard. The museum passes on to his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Collins.

1972 - Soon after the death of Walter Collins, his widow sells the collection to Mr. Anthony Irving. Within a year Mr. James Cartland purchases the collection and reopens the museum next to the Palace Pier in Brighton.

1974 - Mr. Cartland move the collection, Potter's Museum of Curiosity, to 6 High St., Arundel, Sussex.

1985 - The collection purchased by by Mr. Watts and moved to The Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Cornwall.

2003 - 23-24 September. The collection broken up for the first time and sold at auction by Bonhams.