The Nottage Museum
Most people know that the Nottage Maritime Institute exists for the furtherance of nautical skills, and a surprising number think that’s all we do. Not so, for the Institute is also the proud guardian of the maritime traditions and love of the River Colne and its people.
During the summer months we move into ‘museum and exhibition mode’ and apart from regular openings for the public on Saturdays and Sundays and other special days we also welcome organised groups and even individual visitors by appointment.
Over the years these have ranged from local schools and special interest groups to overseas students and visitors. Our archivists John Collins and Lesley McCabe also handle individual research queries in a wide range of fields relating to various aspects of local history.
Changes
In recent times a number of changes to our displays and the way they are laid out has been introduced. In the upstairs rooms photographs, models and artefacts have been brought together in ‘subject groups,’ while the exhibition cabinets and glass topped tables have been extensively reorganised.
The team has also given a lot of thought to attracting visitors into the Institute, which has proved a problem in the past because of our limited frontage onto the quay. New stairs inside at the front of the building have greatly improved access to the upstairs rooms.
Changes
In recent times a number of changes to our displays and the way they are laid out has been introduced. In the upstairs rooms photographs, models and artefacts have been brought together in ‘subject groups,’ while the exhibition cabinets and glass topped tables have been extensively reorganised.
The team has also given a lot of thought to attracting visitors into the Institute, which has proved a problem in the past because of our limited frontage onto the quay. New stairs inside at the front of the building have greatly improved access to the upstairs rooms.
The Library
We have an extensive library thanks to our many generous donors and hard work by librarians over the years. Our current experienced Librarian is Sue Glasspool. The library is situated in our small upstairs lecture room and is open by appointment.
Artefacts
The Museum houses a rich variety of nautical items. Please come along and pay us a visit if you are in the area. The items displayed on this page are examples of some of our exhibits. Any queries can be addressed to John Collins or Lesley McCabe our Archivists.
