Sittingbourne
Heritage
Museum
Opening Times 2020
Getting Here
Volunteers Needed
Entry to the museum is free but why not support our museum by becoming a member and receive regular news and information about local history ? 67 East Street, Sittingbourne,
Kent ME10 4BQ
Sittingbourne's Very Own Museum
Sittingbourne has had a museum since 1999 but still there are many people who either don’t know about it or where to find it. Located at 67 East Street, Sittingbourne Heritage Museum is split over two levels and several rooms. The museum houses many objects from Sittingbourne and the surrounding villages which have been donated or loaned by local residents and other museums. We are able to have regularly changing displays, as well as our more permanent features such as ‘The Plough‘ finds cabinet of late medieval items rescued from the demolished public house, which once stood opposite the museum.
But there is more to the museum than just displays. Behind the scenes, researchers are peering into the town’s past, and then producing highly respected books on various topics.. These books and many more are available on-line and in our small shop which forms an integral part of the museum.
We have a number of volunteering vacancies including things that can be done from home. No previous is experience necessary as training will be given. Please contact the secretary (see volunteering).
New Book:
"Before the NHS"
To JOIN US or for subscriptions, click here to go to the membership page. What's new on the website?
Genealogists might be interested in requesting a search on any of our small databases. NEW to the site is a search of The Holy Trinity Church marriage register from 1864 to 1900. See our "COLLECTION" pages. For the casual browser there is some information related to the ship building industry of Milton Creek. There is also information related to the long gone cattle market that used to be held in the town.
What's new on the internet?During the health crisis we have been working on ways to bring access to our collection to members and.the world at large. We have created our own Youtube channel and produced a number of videos to achieve this. For example: (click on the images and then use the back arrow on browser to return here)
Find us on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram
Now might be a good time to scan in those photographs that would be good in the Museum's collection, or to record eitheir your memories or those of an elderly relative, to add to our archive. There's plenty to be done and you can stay in you own home of course!
Whilst we have suspended hand and postal deliveries, we are still producing our monthly Newsletter and quarterly Journal and have switched to delivery by email. Please see our members information page to subscribe to or unsubscribe from our email list. See our Facebook page also for news, photographs and debate. We also now have a Youtube channel and will publish short video films here from time to time. Sittingbourne's Health Care 1900 to 1948
Annual SubscriptionsAnnual membership subscriptions to keep the museum running are now due. Please help us to prepare for a post-virus Museum by paying your subscription online or by bank transfer. Go to our subscription renewal page for how to do this. Many thanks PLEASE NOTE:The Museum itself is now open by appointment only on the 1st Saturday of each month to people in the same "bubble". Please give 2 days notice when booking. We are open online for enquiries, research, volunteering, sales etc.
If you wish to contact us for any reason - please use email as a preferred method. The appropriate addresses will be found on this website.
video: Our local history study group's Cemeteries and Memorials project
video: A brief history of Tunstall Church
video: Abrief history of Sittingbourne Carnival
This book tells the story of the Isolation Hospital at Keycol Hill and the TB sanatorium where patients were treated in the fresh air. There is the grim tale of the Milton Union Infirmary which was still dreaded by the local poor. We hear of the two First World War hospitals in the town and those who treated the soldiers. Then we have the Memorial Hospital which the townsfolk were so proud of. It was a different world before the NHS and this is related with startling clarity.
Price is £8.95* See our shop page for information on how to order.
*not incl. p&p which may be minimal for local deliveries
Sittingbourne Heritage Museum is a founding and participating member of Historic Swale - an charity organisation whose aim it is to promote Swale as a heritage destination.
Available now: 2021 Sittingbourne Calendarprice £5 (Add £2.50 for p&p if outside Sittingbourne)
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