Brightlingsea Museum is devoted to the town, its people and industries, from Roman times to the present day. A warm welcome awaits visitors of all ages, whether they have just a casual interest or are researching a project.
Displays in the museum include:
* Artefacts from a local Roman settlement
* Brightlingsea's role as a Limb of the Cinque Port of Sandwich
* Oyster industry and stowboating
* Ship and boat-building
* Brightlingsea in the World Wars
* The railway line to Wivenhoe
For 2016 the museum has a special exhibition about the time when thousands of Australian soldiers and a good many New Zealanders came to Brightlingsea in 1916 to 1919. (See articles).
* Artefacts from a local Roman settlement
* Brightlingsea's role as a Limb of the Cinque Port of Sandwich
* Oyster industry and stowboating
* Ship and boat-building
* Brightlingsea in the World Wars
* The railway line to Wivenhoe
For 2016 the museum has a special exhibition about the time when thousands of Australian soldiers and a good many New Zealanders came to Brightlingsea in 1916 to 1919. (See articles).
About your local Museum
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Alf Wakeling
Although Alf Wakeling (left) was not a Brightlingsea native, he nonetheless had a passionate interest in the history of the area. It was also his ardent desire that the local residents should have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the people and events that shaped our town. Edna Maude Kayser lived her entire life in Brightlingsea, she had a great fondness for the place of her birth and when she died, she left £24,000 'for the town'.
Claude Dove
Thus it was that with Alf's determination and Edna's generosity, the Museum was founded in December 1989, renting display and storage space in the building on the corner of Duke Street and Wellington Street owned by The James Aldous Trust. Under the chairmanship of Claude Dove (left), a highly respected and dedicated local historian, the Museum realised all of Alf Wakeling's goals and become an established amenity for Brightlingsea people and visitors alike. When Alf retired as curator in 2002, Margaret Stone took over the post. Since that time, Margaret has worked hard to promote the Museum in the community and for the community. In 2014 the Museum was awarded Accreditation from the Arts Council, a testament to the standards that have been achieved.
Sadly in 2013 Claude Dove died, but thanks to his generous bequest the Museum has been able to purchase premises which will be renovated and extended, providing facilities for both local residents and visitors to the town interested in the fascinating and unique history of Brightlingsea and surrounding areas (See News)
Sadly in 2013 Claude Dove died, but thanks to his generous bequest the Museum has been able to purchase premises which will be renovated and extended, providing facilities for both local residents and visitors to the town interested in the fascinating and unique history of Brightlingsea and surrounding areas (See News)
