Snodland Millennium Museum
Snodland Millennium Museum is housed in the Old Fire Station in Waghorn Road on land bequeathed by Maude Midsummer Hook in 1915 to the Parish Council. (Maude was one of the family who owned the paper mill.) Nothing was done until after the Great War, but in 1923 the Council raised a loan of £500 and the fire station was built. It remained active until 1948, when the fire service was re-organised locally by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Subsequently the building was converted into a house and later was used as a store. Following re-purchase and renovation it was opened as the Millennium Museum by Jonathan Shaw M.P. on 4 Oct 1999. Four rooms house the displays and the Museum is manned by volunteers from Snodland Historical Society.
To the casual passer-by there would appear to be little of historic interest here, for today few traces of Snodland’s ancient past can be seen – and indeed much has been lost both through chalk excavation and the tremendous growth of 19th and 20th century housing. Yet the parish has within its bounds three Norman churches: All Saints, Paddlesworth and Dode, and considerable stretches of the mediaeval landscape remain in the west of the parish. Traces of early inhabitants – Bronze age, Romans and Saxons have all left their mark and the river crossing has been important from earliest times.
Not everything can be displayed at once and parts of the displays are changed from time to time. Many of the finds from Snodland’s early history have found their way to other museums, but some have been loaned to us. Maidstone Area Archaeological Group has kindly placed on loan material it excavated from the Roman Villa at Snodland and the best of this can be seen, together with illustrations of other important discoveries concerning the prehistoric ring ditch, Roman Tumulus and Saxon cemetery. Lafarge has loaned the finds made when creating the roundabout on the Halling-Snodland boundary, and we have a selection from the coin hoard found in 2007 during preparations for a housing estate. Many more recent artifacts and photographs have been donated by Parishioners and the collection continues to grow.
Agriculture was the life support of all Kentish villages from time immemorial – and Snodland was no exception. But the coming of the railway in 1856, together with the presence of the river, has encouraged the development of the paper and cement industries since then. So Snodland has a rich and varied tale to tell. Come and find out about it – and why it has that funny name.
The Museum is not only a building where the history of Snodland can be displayed, but also serves as a research centre where information about the place and its people can be found. Much of this is accessible through Snodland Historical Society’s website at www.snodlandhistory.org.uk.
Historic Periods
Roman (43-410), Saxon (410-1066), Victorian (1837-1901)Opening Times
2 to 5 pm Wednesdays and Sundays
E-Badge
Not an E-Badge participating venue
Cost
Free
More Information
Telephone: 01634 243001
Website: http://www.snodlandhistory.org.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075908142402&ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Not a Kent Children’s University Destination
Facilities
Parking nearbyAddress
3 Waghorn Road, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5BQ
ME6 5BQ