Mersea Museum on the Essex Coast
An independent museum established in 1976 and occupying purpose-built premises that have been steadily expanded. We are in the centre of West Mersea, just to the east of the Parish Church. The traditional local activities of fishing, oystering, wild fowling and boat building are represented. 2,000 year old contents of Mersea Barrow. The exhibition in the main hall is new each year and features a number of different displays.
Computers in the Resource Centre can be used to access over 45,000 images, slideshows, articles, parish records, local census contents, audio files, video.
Children are welcome, with puzzles and quizzes available.

Newsletter
The May 2020 Newsletter contains an update from the Chairman on Mersea Museum in the current situation.
Click Here to view the Newsletter - it will open in a new window.

The Museum is closed until further notice.

There are new or updated articles online - newest first ...

Dunkirk - 1940
Peldon People - Nymann the Dane
Tiddler Mole born 1911 - gardner, oysterman, more - interviewed in 1983 ( Audio recording )
The War Years - Peldon. By Phyllis Day née Wilson
David Wilson Merchant Seaman - The POWs Story
V.E. Day 8th May 1945
Memories of Bernie Ratcliffe 1933-2020
Peldon and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19
Thomas Frere of Fingringhoe and his connection with the slave trade
A description of Mersea Island in 1848
Joy Gethen - Memories of Mersea
1940 - a diary of life on Mersea
In 1940 Britain was facing a crisis, just as frightening as the present one. Diaries kept at the time give us some idea what it was like.
Abberton Reservoir - what was there before

Oral History
Mersea history and local people you can listen to online

Mersea Archive Research Group (MARG)
MARG is working to transcribe old documents from Mersea and the surrounding area.
List of transcribed documents
www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk
Essex Record Office blog on work done by MARG
 

History
If you are interested in local history, there is much on this website. See HISTORY.
View the latest IMAGES added to the site
or read the most recent Articles and Documents

Where to find us: Mersea Island is on the Essex coast, about 9 miles south of Colchester on the B1025.
The museum is in West Mersea - follow the main road through the village to the High Street and down as far as the parish church. Turn left in front of the church to reach the entrance gates of the museum.
Show local map or Link to Google maps (in a new window).
If you come on the bus (63, 67 or 68 from Colchester), the museum is a short walk straight ahead from the terminus.

Collections: Local history, social history, natural history and geology, local photographs, oral history, family history, parish records, marine, John Leather Memorial Collection, engineering and costume.

Facilities: Activities for children, Audio Guides, Disabled Access, Disabled Parking, Shop

Shop: The Museum Shop has a varied selection of books, postcards, souvenirs and mementos.

Helping the Museum: You can help Mersea Museum by becoming a member, volunteering, joining the 100 Club or just by a Donation.
See About Us for more information.