Thurrock Museum

03/10/2023

Still spaces available on one of the walks!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR OPEN DAY (14 October 2023):

The 11.15am and 12.15pm walks on the Open Day are now both full and booking for these tours has closed. However, there are still spaces available on the 10.30am walk.

If demand for walks continues, we may be able to organise one for 12.00pm. However, this is dependent on volunteer availability, which at the moment we cannot guarantee. If you definitely would like to take a tour, it would be best by far to book on the 10.30 walk to make sure of a place. You can book by emailing [email protected]. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

28/09/2023

On Sunday Thurrock Museum volunteers and staff traced the line of the old Corringham Light Railway which at one time was used by those working in the Kynoch munitions factory. The black and white photo shows the worker's accommodation in Herd Lane, known as the 'Colony'. Thank you to James Reynolds for guiding us round.

15/09/2023

Our latest exhibition 'Thurrock at sea' is now up and tomorrow you can join our free 'Back to school' event with doodle art and museum trail! Thurrock Libraries

05/09/2023

Add the 16th September to your diaries! The next in our WW2 exhibition series starts and we also have a free 'Back (in time) to School' event.
Or, just come along to the Museum any time it's open: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/thurrock-museum/about-museum

30/08/2023

Today we're at Thurrock Play Network - The Pyramid Resource Centre supporting Saffron Waldon Museum by providing artefacts to inspire a 'Thames Through Time' artwork.

14/08/2023

We recently interviewed local resident John Clark who told us about his grandfather, Percy Clark (pictured) who delivered groceries by horse and cart up until the 1950s. Tragedy struck one day when Precy slipped and fell under his horse and died.
Despite this, John's family carried on the grocery business and John had a grocers shop in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon which he sold in 2004. Some of you may remember John and his store (pictured).

11/08/2023

If you're visiting the Museum or Library, don't forget to take a look at this wonderful display showcasing local people's stories.

01/08/2023

We have just had the pleasure of showing the Mayor and Consort our Museum - and learning a thing or two about Thurrock's history from her!

05/07/2023

Happy Birthday to the NHS! Thank you to all NHS staff past and present who do so much for all of us.
Here's a photo of NHS staff of South Ockendon Hospital at the nurses' prize-giving in 1962.

30/06/2023

Our volunteer's latest display War in the Sky is now up! Running until the 21st July, 11am.

23/06/2023

The Museum's busy today for Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions, Community Interest Company AGM. We'll done to Paul for putting up an excellent display on the history of people with a disability. There's a bit about South Ockendon Hospital with artefacts from our collections.

22/06/2023

What a busy day! We've had lots of interest in our handling collection.

22/06/2023

We're very proud to be a part of event with Tilbury on the Thames Trust today. Thurrock . Come and see our display!

12/06/2023

We're looking forward to bringing our latest display to this event!

Port of Tilbury hosts celebration to mark
Windrush 75th anniversary and everyone is invited!
On the 22 June 1948, the Port of Tilbury welcomed 500 people from the Caribbean, who travelled for 30 days from Jamaica aboard the SS Empire Windrush, to begin a new life in Great Britain. 75 years later, on 22 June 2023, the Port will mark this anniversary by hosting a day of celebrations at the London Cruise Terminal where they first arrived.
The FREE events on Thursday 22 June, will appeal to everyone and will be a fitting celebration for Windrush75, including
• Performances by Woodside Academy steel band - ‘Woodside Steel’;
• A Windrush exhibition by Evewright;
• Workshops and talks from the National Archives;
• Ageless teenagers Caribbean Tea Dance;
• Local school visits;
• And street food available all day.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the NHS which also falls in 2023, the Thames Clipper will run a special boat trip from Waterloo to the Port of Tilbury with guests on board representing the NHS, charities and people with Windrush connections.
Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports said: “Everyone at the Port of Tilbury is proud of the part that the port played in the lives of the people aboard the SS Empire Windrush when they arrived 75 years ago and we are looking forward to celebrating this anniversary in the place that they first landed in the UK. We have a day of celebrations planned and everyone is welcome to come along on the 22 June.”
The Windrush75 celebrations are being funded by the Port of Tilbury and supported by Tilbury on the Thames Trust. The Thames Clipper are providing one of their boats for the event.
Everyone is welcome to come along to the cruise terminal between 9.30am until 6.30am.

05/01/2023

Marking the 70th anniversary of the '53 floods. Essex Fire Museum Thurrock

12/12/2022

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas from the Museum offices! ☃️❄

09/12/2022

Travel back in time to Christmas 1942. This FREE exhibition will be on until Thursday 5th January. Ground floor, Thameside Theatre Thurrock Thurrock Libraries Thameside Theatre

05/12/2022

We are having a Christmas open day on Sunday 18th December. If you would like to come along, please contact us via: [email protected] and tell us the number in your party and the time you would like to arrive. We are open from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
There will be Christmas trails, arts and crafts and lots to do for all the family. We have also been informed by Greenland HQ that Santa will be dropping in to meet everyone. 🌲🌲🎄

05/12/2022

Our first celebrity signature in our visitor's book! Russell Brand

02/12/2022

It's Christmas 2022!🎄 But what was Christmas like in 1942? Find out at the next volunteers' exhibition!

13/11/2022

We were so pleased to welcome Audrey and her son Colin to the Museum to look at our display. Audrey is the cousin of James (Jim) Bond who is featured on the poster for the display. Audrey was able to tell us about Jim's life and death - he was the first person who worked for the Council to be killed in WW2. Thank you Audrey and Colin.

11/11/2022

The volunteers pay tribute to the people of Thurrock who gave their lives for our freedom

04/11/2022

The volunteers' Armistice display is now up!
We were so pleased to be contacted by a couple of relatives of James Bond who is the man featured in the exhibition poster. They were able to give more information about James' life and death. Notably that he was the first Thurrock Council worker casualty of WW2. You can find out more about him by visiting the exhibition. Thank you to James' relatives for coming forward Thurrock

02/11/2022

The next exhibition by the Museum volunteers will mark Armistice and will be available to see for free from Saturday the 5th to 10am on Friday the 18th November

17/09/2022

Today we're at High House for their Heritage Open Day. The theme this year is 'Inventions' and we're displaying some prehistoric inventions. You can have a go at weaving your own mini mat and help us decide which was the most important prehistoric invention!

16/09/2022

Thank you to our volunteers for putting together this wonderful display of the Queen's life in pictures. You can see it as you come in to the Thameside Foyer.

09/09/2022

Our thoughts are with the Royal family at this sad time.

The end of an era, an unprecedented reign and a remarkable life. Rest in peace Your Majesty.

Image: The Queen receives flowers from local resident Colin Wade on her visit to Thurrock in the early 1980's. Image credit: Thurrrock Gazette & Colin Wade

06/09/2022

The next in the series of WW2 exhibitions is here! Upcoming exhibitions are also listed below.

03/09/2022

Essex Gardens Trust successfully bid for funding from the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme to research sites of historic and local interest in Thurrock. The culmination of this is an inventory of these sites, useful to Thurrock planning authorities when making decisions which may affect the sites described, or their setting. The inventory has uncovered some fascinating stories and the current pandemic has given us a strong recognition of the pleasure and the healing power, both physical and mental, of open spaces and their importance in today’s society.
https://www.landofthefanns.org/unforgettable-landscapes-of-thurrock/

The Gardens Trust Thurrock Thurrock Museum Thurrock Local History Society National Lottery Heritage Fund Belhus Park Golf Course Orsett Hall Hotel Barnards Farm

03/09/2022

We're at the Orsett show! Come and find us in the heritage Zone marquee

03/08/2022

Thurrock Carers Service Carers Coffee Mornings have now changed venue.

If you are caring for someone pop along to Grays Park Cafe tomorrow at 10am to find out how they can support you.

29/07/2022

Someone's enjoying the new museum activity!

28/07/2022

We've got a little something to keep the kids and grandkids entertained this summer - and it's free! This activity can be found on the first floor of the Thameside Complex just outside the Museum entrance. Thameside Theatre Thurrock

22/07/2022

The latest in the series of WW2 exhibitions is up! Here 'till the 11am on 19 August

15/07/2022

This time next week the latest volunteer exhibition will be up!

07/07/2022

We all know about High House in Purfleet-on-Thames but did you know there was once a Low House? Eagle-eyed inventory staff member Kevin Diver spotted it in this map from the 1920s. The House was demolished in the '30s.

25/06/2022

We're at the Port of Tilbury open day today with our Windrush display. Hope to see you there!

16/06/2022

The Museum will be closed from Midday this Saturday (the 18th June) and will reopen on Monday at 9am. We apologise for any inconvenience.
The Jubilee display in the gallery will still be open to view.

14/06/2022

Our Jubilee display is still up! Come and take a look

“The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations may feel like a distant memory but you can visit 's exhibition until 24 June. Volunteers Odette, Diane (pictured) and Pam put together the special exhibition. 👑 https://t.co/2HkzwQmba3 ”