Exhibitions The aim of the Museum is to present to residents and visitors the history of Mersea and the surrounding areas. The many exhibits include sections in Local History, Natural History, Social History, Marine and Geology. The main displays are changed each year and there is always something new to see.   New for 2009: Century of Memories The Wigborough Zeppelin L33 L33 came down in Little Wigborough on the night of 24 September 1916. The exhibition features relics from the Zeppelin, photographs, newspaper reports and recordings of local residents who visited the site. Maps and Charts The River Blackwater as it was in 1912 with sketches by Ernest Hicks Oliver; West Mersea as it was in 1908 and was planned to be. From this Day Forward Local Victorian and Edwardian wedding photographs with local connections. A wedding dress from a 1907 Colchester wedding. King George VI Mersea celebrations for the Coronation. Memorabilia. Whale bones The jaw bones from a sperm whale, found at Mersea recently. Audio Visual slideshow A new slideshow will be running - Mersea and the Blackwater from old photographs.

Local History

A changing selection of pictures, maps, photographs and postcards showing the history of Mersea and its residents from the 19th Century is displayed. A model of a beach hut illustrates a feature of holidays in Mersea that is close to many people's hearts. This section also includes Archaeological finds such as Roman remains, tiles and pottery. Bellamine and Matabani Jars (17th Century) and Amphora (Roman Vase) are also on show.

Natural History

Local land and sea birds in a typical Essex saltings setting are displayed. A good pre-war collection of birds eggs, a comprehensive collection of butterflies and a fossil collection are normally on show.

Social History

This is the largest section in the Museum because of the amount of material, with exhibits covering a period of two centuries. Displays of fishing equipment and a Fisherman's Cottage help to create the "Old Mersea" atmosphere, together with many articles used by local people in earlier times.

Marine

Models of boats and local craft, together with old fishing equipment and boat building tools. Photographs of smacks at work, yachts, houseboats, barges. The Museum holds a fine 1919 Punt made locally by William Wyatt complete with its original gun, used in Mersea for many years. The John Leather Memorial Collection contains John's library of books, boat plans, research papers and photographs. It is currently being catalogued.

Geology

Fossil and fossilized material drawn from a wide range of locations, together with a collection of rocks and minerals, are on display including crystals and ore deposits, and all are well documented.

Family History

We have copies of parish records and other information and so are able to answer many family history queries. Family trees have been built for several well-known Mersea families.

Photographic Collection

The Museum has a large collection of historic photographs, many of which can be displayed on a computer in the Museum. An audio-visual slide show on Mersea and the River Blackwater is run in the Museum.

For Children...

We have a variety of picture quizzes, puzzles, sketching activities etc. around the Museum for children (and for adults).

To find the amusing story behind this interesting gentleman, you will have to visit the Museum...

Exhibitions from earlier years Click on the following links to see some exhibitions from previous years. 2008 - Mersea's Recent Past 2007 - Roman Mersea 2006 - Fire Service, Lifeboat, Essex and the Sea 2005 - Lord Nelson, William Wyatt, Mersea at War