ABOUT US
Earls Colne Heritage Museum is located in The Old Water Tower of the former Atlas Works–the R. Hunt agricultural machinery foundry, which was pivotal to the development of the village from a purely agricultural to an industrial village in the 19th & 20th centuries.
Founded in 2005, the Museum is home to artefacts from the Neolithic to the 21st century and is also a centre for village historical and family research.
The Museum is actively engaged with the village and beyond, with a programme of walks, talks, school visits and liaison with other village organizations and also with other museums.
The Museum welcomes both visitors and online enquiries.
BLUE PLAQUE
On 29th October 2025 the Museum unveiled the village’s first blue plaque, dedicated to Mary Gee, at Colne House. Photos and more about the unveiling by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst can be found under the NEWS tab.
If you’re interested to find out who Mary Gee was and what she did for Earls Colne, VISIT the museum to see the Mary Gee Display in the upper gallery. You can also CLICK HERE or scan the QR code to find out more about Mary Gee and her generosity to not only this village but also Halstead, Greenstead Green and Great Maplestead and many other societies.
(Museum opening times Wednesday 2-4pm, Weekends 12-4pm)
ATLAS COMMUNITY GARDENS INFORMATION BOARDS
In October 2025, Four information boards and an audio post were installed in the Atlas Community Gardens in Massingham Drive, informing us of the rich historical past that Earls Colne enjoys. They can also be found on this website under the ATLAS GARDENS tab.
LANCASTER MEMORIAL
On the 20th September 2024 the Museum unveiled a memorial to the 15 aircrew of Lancaster LM167 & LL802, killed exactly 80 years prior as the result of a tragic mid-air collision above the fields of Earls Colne & Great Tey.
CLICK HERE for the story of the accident and the Memorial.
Earls Colne in Earliest Times
In Roman times this part of Essex was occupied by a native tribe called the Trinovantes. The tribal centre, that we know as Colchester and which they called Cumulodunum, became the capital of the Roman province.
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Re-used Roman bricks
Tile and brick production has been a long-established local industry and re-used Roman bricks have been identified in the base of the tower of St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne
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The Atlas Works and the Hunt Family
Robert Hunt, a travelling millwright, settled in Earls Colne in 1824. His first workshop was on the Green, next to the Baptist Church.
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The Second World War
Earls Colne aerodrome played a significant part in the air campaign during the Second World War.
Construction of the runways started in 1941 and the Royal Air Force was using the aerodrome within 18 months.
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Earls Colne Heritage Museum
Tucked away in Earls Colne, this museum in a WaterTower is a hidden little gem!
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HOW TO FIND US
Opening Hours
Open every Saturday & Sunday 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Wednesdays 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Did you know that ECHM has its own Youtube Channel?
CLICK HERE to view!
Travelling from the West (Halstead):
About 100 yards past the Zebra Crossing,
take the first right into Massingham Drive
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.
Travelling from the east via Earls Colne High Street:
Take the second left after the Zebra Crossing into Massingham Drive,
keep on this road and the museum is on your left.
On a lamppost opposite the turn into Massingham Drive
is a small brown sign pointing to the museum.
