Eden Valley Museum facts for kids
The Eden Valley Museum is a cool place to learn about local history. It is located in the market town of Edenbridge, Kent in England. The museum is inside a very old medieval farmhouse. This building is special because it is a Grade II* listed site.
The museum has amazing collections that show the history of the area. You can learn about how cricket balls were made. There are also exhibits on tanning, which is how leather is made. The museum also has many old objects from archaeological digs. Plus, it has a large collection of local information. A special item is a needlework box made by a German POW during World War Two. This box was even shown on the BBC's 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' project.
Contents
Discovering Church House
The Museum's Historic Home
The building where the museum is located is called Church House. It is a very old timber-framed house. Experts believe it was built between 1380 and 1410. That makes it over 600 years old!
Originally, it was an open Hall house. This means it had a large open space inside. But in the 1500s, it was changed a lot. A first floor was added, along with a chimney. Later, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, bricks were added to the front. So, today you cannot see the old wooden frame from the outside.
From Farm to Community Hub
Church House was once known as Doggetts Farm. This name changed in 1913. That is when Miss Geraldine Rickards bought it. She changed the building and added Rickards Hall next to it.
In 1921, Miss Rickards gave the house to the Parish Church. It was meant to be used by the community. The idea for the museum started in 1995. This was after a special exhibition. It celebrated 100 years of the Edenbridge Town Council. The Edenbridge and District Historical Society organized it.
Opening the Museum Doors
In 1997, the Eden Valley Museum Trust was created. Their goal was to set up and run a museum. The Trust became a charity in November 1997. With help from a grant, the museum opened in 2000. This grant came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The museum is a registered charity. It leases Church House from Edenbridge Town Council. Since 2004, it has been free to visit.
Exploring the Museum's Collections
What You Can See Inside
The museum is mostly run by local volunteers. They help keep the history of the Eden Valley alive. The collections cover many topics. They show the area's story from ancient times to today.
These permanent displays are in different rooms. They teach you about the land, people, and old jobs. The displays are updated often. The museum also puts on one or two temporary exhibitions each year. These special shows usually last for 12 to 18 months.
Key Exhibits and Local History
One of the biggest collections is about Whitmore's Tannery. This was the largest employer in Edenbridge. It closed in 1974. You can see many items from this old business.
Other displays show items from the cricket ball industry. This industry was important in Chiddingstone Causeway. You can also find objects from archaeology. There are exhibits on farming, iron smelting, and brick making. Hop growing and other local industries are also featured.
Researching the Past
The museum has a huge collection of old photographs. It also has many old documents. These documents are about local properties and groups. They also cover former residents and families. These are great resources for people studying local history. They are always adding more to these collections.
Museum's Focus Area
The museum collects items from a specific geographical area. This area includes several parishes. These are Edenbridge, Chiddingstone, Cowden, and Hever, Kent. It also covers Four Elms and Mark Beech. Finally, it includes Penshurst and Crockham Hill. Crockham Hill is part of the Parish of Westerham.
