Manningtree & District Local History Museum

Description

The Manningtree Museum is situated in the Public Library in Manningtree High Street.

Opening Times are:
Wednesdays 10am-12noon
Fridays 2am-4pm
Saturdays 10am-12noon
Also during June, July and August - Saturdays 2am-4pm

The Museum is a Registered Charity, No. 297543 and is managed and staffed by volunteers.

The Museum has a large collection of items relating principally to the town of Manningtree and the villages of Lawford and Mistley and the River Stour. Other items relate to ‘BX Plastics’ Brantham and Cattawade as well as Bradfield and Little Bromley. We also serve as a resource centre for family history and local history enquires. We may not know the answer, but please ask!

In the museum you will find displays on topics such as inns and pubs, local people, notable local buildings, the famous Manningtree ‘witches,’ as well as maps and aerial photos illustrating the changes to the local scene over the years. Old scrap books hold treasured reports from local newspapers. The display cabinets contain items on the malting industry, domestic items, school books, writing slates and children’s games.
While our ‘Lost and Found’ collection holds items from many centuries of local life as well as memorabilia for Grand-Ma and Grand-Pa. The display of plastics items recalls the importance of BX Ltd to the area, while the tools of the river trades illustrate what a vital resource the Stour is to the community.
There is also a small selection of books for purchase.

Most of the items and photographs in our archive have been generously donated or loaned over the last twenty years by people interested in the local area, some items have been purchased directly by the trustees.

Entrance is free, but donations are welcome.
(Our insurance alone costs over £600 a year)

Just pop in or stay to browse in depth. Young or old, from near or far, you are very welcome.