Seaford Museum facts for kids
The Seaford Museum and Heritage Society is a cool local history museum. It is found inside a special old building called the Martello Tower in East Sussex, England. The museum started in 1979. It shows off many interesting objects, old papers, and displays. These items tell the story of the local area.
Discover the Seaford Museum
The Seaford Museum is located in Tower number 74. You can find it right on the Esplanade in Seaford, East Sussex. This tower is the most western of many forts built along the coast. These forts were made during the Napoleonic Wars. They helped protect England from invaders.
The tower is round and has two floors. It is surrounded by a dry moat made of bricks. Builders finished this tower between 1806 and 1810. It was a strong defense for its time.
The War Department sold the tower in 1880. For the next 90 years, it had many different owners. It was used for various businesses. In the 1930s, the moat area became a roller skating rink. The tower itself was used as a cafeteria.
In 1976, the local council bought the tower. The museum then opened its doors there in 1979. The museum has a lot of space for its displays. This includes a covered part of the old moat. It also has a visitor center, an archive, and a gift shop.
The museum is open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. It is also open on Bank Holidays from November to March. During the rest of the year, it opens on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays too. You can look at old documents in the archive. This is available once a month with supervision.
The Seaford Museum and Heritage Society runs the museum. It is a registered charity. The museum has a large and varied collection of items. These include many things from the sea and everyday home life. In 2018, the museum made improvements. Now, it is easier for everyone to visit the main exhibits.
How the Museum Helps the Community
The museum is a busy place for local activities. It hosts many heritage and community events. Groups like the Round Table and the model railway club meet there. Other local organizations also hold events at the museum.
The museum is also a place for public talks. You can start guided tours from here to explore the area. The museum also offers a talk and video for schools. This explains the 1986 sea defense project. This project helped stop floods in nearby areas. It has protected the coast ever since.