Earls Colne Heritage Museum

ABOUT US

Earls Colne Heritage Museum is located in The Old Water Tower of the former Atlas Works–the R.Hunt agricultural machinery foundry, which was pivotal to the development of the village from a purely agricultural to an industrial village in the 19th & 20th centuries.

Founded in 2005, the Museum is home to artefacts from the Neolithic to the 21st century and is also a centre for village historical and family research.

The Museum is actively engaged with the village and beyond, with a programme of walks, talks, school visits and liaison with other village organizations and also with other museums.

The Museum welcomes both visitors and online enquiries.

LANCASTER MEMORIAL

On the 20th September 2024 the Museum unveiled a memorial to the 15 aircrew of Lancaster LM167 & LL802, killed exactly 80 years prior as the result of a tragic mid-air collision above the fields of Earls Colne & Great Tey. CLICK HERE for the story of the accident and the Memorial.

Earls Colne in Earliest Times

In Roman times this part of Essex was occupied by a native tribe called the Trinovantes. The tribal centre, that we know as Colchester and which they called Cumulodunum, became the capital of the Roman province.

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Re-used Roman bricks

Tile and brick production has been a long-established local industry and re-used Roman bricks have been identified in the base of the tower of St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne

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The Atlas Works and the Hunt Family

Robert Hunt, a travelling millwright, settled in Earls Colne in 1824. His first workshop was on the Green, next to the Baptist Church.

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The Second World War

Earls Colne aerodrome played a significant part in the air campaign during the Second World War.
Construction of the runways started in 1941 and the Royal Air Force was using the aerodrome within 18 months.

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Tucked away in Earls Colne, this museum in a WaterTower is a hidden little gem!

Earls Colne Heritage Museum

3 days ago

Royal Streets walk in progress! ... See MoreSee Less

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

1 week ago

With the VE80 celebrations now completed, The Earls Colne Heritage Museum would very much like to thank those people of Earls Colne who made it such a huge success. There were so many groups involved we'd like to thank all of them for taking part in a national historic event. For us, we'd like to credit Earls Colne Parish Council for providing the bunting not only along the High Street but also for the Primary school, Park Lane looked great! They also funded the prizes for the best dressed pupils and staff and flags for all the children. We also gave each child an old penny, - none minted later than 1945 which were fascinating to the children- and probably also to their parents!More thanks go out to Earls Colne WI and our Earls Colne Heritage Museum volunteers for baking the cupcakes and manning the stall - our new gazebo! Their efforts raised £250 which will go towards the school swimming pool fund. Donations were also made to the Royal British Legion which were much appreciated.Our biggest thanks must go to the pupils and staff of the Primary School who joined in and engaged so enthusiastically. The museum volunteers were able to show - with artefacts and a short talk, just what the children in WW2 experienced. The Church had many events happening on VE Day. Recitals, services, bell ringing amongst them but also for the Museum, a re-dedication of a new plaque we had prepared at the tree, planted 33 years ago to commemorate the 323rd Bomb Group - The young American “Marauder Men” who were stationed at Earls Colne during WW2 - losing over 100 men in their brief time here. We owe them, and all of that generation, so much.A parade of military vehicles up the High Street led us to the Earls Colne Recreation Club and then on again to Earls Colne Millennium Green for Beacon lighting and the national song led by Stane Street players. The parade was a delight to watch with lots of flag waving and fish and chips available to munch along the way, or on the way back. Shops and businesses all played a part in the decorations - and all that was just on Thursday! There was so much more happening Friday and Saturday, more bunting, our own WW2 talk, entertainment in our clubs and pubs, picnics and more singing.Thanks again, and apologies to any person or group who has not been name-checked - many,many hours of preparation went into the VE80 events, and whatever your part it was most appreciated for this historic national event, ... See MoreSee Less

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Earls Colne Heritage Museum

2 weeks ago

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HOW TO FIND US

Opening Hours

Open every Saturday & Sunday 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Wednesdays 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Did you know that ECHM has its own Youtube Channel?

CLICK HERE to view!

Travelling from the West (Halstead):
About 100 yards past the Zebra Crossing,
take the first right into Massingham Drive
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.

Travelling from the east via Earls Colne High Street:
Take the second left after the Zebra Crossing into Massingham Drive,
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.
On a lamppost opposite the turn into Massingham Drive
is a small brown sign pointing to the museum.