Your History at Epping Forest District Museum

Following a 12-month development programme, the new display picks up the history of the area at the start of the 18th Century and follows it through to the end of the 20th Century.

By focussing on the themes of Work, Home Life and Shopping, it reflects the changes in the District and the lives of its residents over the last 300 years. Here visitors are able to explore the story of the Cottis Iron Foundry in Epping and Catalin's in Waltham Abbey, which manufactured resins and plastics. The gallery also celebrates the importance of the local dairy industry, which produced 'Epping Butter' praised in the Victorian Mrs Beeton's 'Book of Household Management'.

Among the artefacts featured in the new gallery are a selection of familiar, or maybe not-so-familiar, domestic items, tools used in local industries and the original poster for the opening concert of Lopping Hall, Loughton. The section looking at the changes which have taken place in home life over the last two hundred years, features a variety of stoves and a stylish 1950's 'Home Maker' dinner service alongside a 'Washing Dolly' and a 'Baby Burco'.

The gallery also includes a permanent costume exhibit, giving the Museum the opportunity to showcase this delicate and fascinating collection. The first display, which will be on show until April 2011, features a variety of outfits charting the changes to women and men's clothing from the 1860's to the 1960's.

The gallery features a number of new features for younger visitors. Including replica Victorian costumes to try on, and a replica Victorian stove and tea set where children can prepare their own Victorian tea.

The new gallery is on the first floor of the Museum and the displays will change regularly.

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Prices

Free entry

Opening details

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