Collection: Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust is housed in a Grade II* listed Georgian Chapel, constructed in 1832 to service the spiritual needs of the staff and employees of the Pembroke Royal Dockyard. The building was fully renovated in 2010 and a new addition that houses a meeting room, kitchen and toilets was added at this point. The Centre sits in extensive grounds, surrounded by mature trees, which also provide extensive free parking for visitors. Disabled parking and a sloping ramp to allow disabled access to the building is provided for.

  The Museum was opened by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 2014 with donated and loaned artefacts, most originating from the former ‘Flying Boat Interpretation Centre’ and Pembroke Dock Museum Trust, both formerly situated in the town of Pembroke Dock. Many of these artefacts have been expanded with donated items that cover the period from the founding of the Royal Dockyard in 1812 up to the present day. The Museum has for the past two years only accepted into the collection artefacts that are relevant to this period.

  The Museum was opened by a group of enthusiasts in 2014 to promote public awareness of the towns military maritime and aviation heritage, educate present and future generations in the towns history and serve as a memorial to men and women who gave their lives in the service of this country. The basis of the collection at this time was an amalgamation of two previous museum Trusts, the Sunderland Trust who operated the Flying Boat Interpretation Centre withing the old Royal Dockyard and the Pembroke Dock Museum Trust who operated a museum within an old, fortified tower on Front Street in Pembroke Dock. Both former Trusts were dissolved, and a formal transfer of all artefacts was made to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust before this dissolution. Members of the former Trusts are now Trustees of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust.

  The Museum is home to an impressive display of historic items and a unique collection of local social and military history dating back 200 years to the present day, together with much flying boat associated memorabilia stretching from the First World War through to the Cold War. Amongst the many attractions, are numerous displays and a flying boat simulator cockpit for visitors to experience. A new exhibition (opened in May 2022) tells the story of the building of the film prop ‘The Millennium Falcon for the movie ‘Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back’ in 1979.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2022

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum is home to an impressive display of historic items and a unique collection of local social and military history dating back 200 years to the present day, together with much flying boat associated memorabilia stretching from the First World War through to the Cold War.

  The following is a brief catalogue of the items of the Collection. Core artefacts are shown in bold:

  • Photographs/Film: Both digital and printed media. A project to digitally scan all printed photographs in the collection is ongoing.
  • Costumes: A large collection of military uniforms of all services form part of the collection. A majority have direct links to the town and associated military establishments.
  • Items of service flying clothing worn by flying boat crews.
  • A large selection of signed prints and original artworks associated with the RAF flying boat service.
  • A collection of flying logbooks and associated documentation from aircrew of the RAF flying boat service.
  • A large number of parts from the Short Sunderland Mk1 (T9044) that have been salvaged from the wreck of the aircraft, which sank whilst moored in the Haven in 1940. Many larger items (including an engine and front gun turret) have been restored and put on display. These are the only such items from this mark of Short Sunderland to be displayed in the world. A member of the Trust holds the licence to dive on the wreck and (after due formalities with H.M. Inspector of Wrecks) are completed the artefacts brought to the surface can be added to the collection, depending on their condition.
  • A number of large-scale flying boat models, all with an association to RAF Pembroke Dock. Together with large sections of Short Sunderland Mk V airframe, including ailerons, elevators and bomb doors, donated (via IWM Duxford) by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
  • A large collection of medals and ephemera associated with members of the RAF flying boat service.
  • A modern exhibition of the Millennium Falcon film prop, built in the Royal Dockyard in 1979, for the movie ‘Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back’.
  • A large collection of artefacts and ephemera associated with the Royal Dockyard, including ship models, prints and dockyard tools.
  • The Museum’s Library and document store contains specialist books and documents relating to Pembroke Dock, which are available for research by appointment.
  • A full-size replica of the cockpit area of a Short Sunderland flying boat, together with large computer activated screens, which give visitors the chance to re-create a flight in the flying boat around Pembroke Dock.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2022

  Licence: CC BY-NC