Collection: Eden Valley Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  At the formation of the Eden Valley Museum Trust in July 1997, the collection consisted of a significant photographic collection, maps, documents and a small number of objects, relating largely to the social history and industrial archaeology of the area. These items previously formed the archives of the Edenbridge and District Historical Society. The collection was donated to the Museum in May 1997. The Edenbridge and District Museum Initiative established a research group that added a substantial number of objects, archival material, information and personal reminiscences to the collection between March 1997 and March 2000. Donations from the public continue to increase the collection.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2021

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum’s collection is housed in Church House, a former farmhouse. This timber framed medieval hall house dates from approximately 1390 and is Grade II*.  Subsequent changes to the building, over almost 700 years, illustrate changing fashions and reflect the social and economic history of the area and the country as a whole. The Trust views the building as a significant part of the collection.

  The current core collections consist of an extensive photographic collection and social history collection covering the Eden Valley area. This area largely incorporates the parishes of Edenbridge, Chiddingstone, Cowden, Hever (including Four Elms and Mark Beech), Penshurst and Crockham Hill (part of the Parish of Westerham). This is an area of west Kent from the Surrey border to where the River Eden joins the Medway at Penshurst and extending approximately 6km (this distance varies in accordance with the valley walls) to the north and south of the River Eden.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2021

  Licence: CC BY-NC