 
| Heritage Organisations on the Isle of Wight |
| MUSEUMS/HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS |
Bembridge Heritage Centre, is located at the rear of the Library in Church Road, Bembridge. (See Bembridge Heritage Society details below.)
Blackgang Chine Heritage Exhibitions. Blackgang Chine Pleasure Park. IW, PO38 2HN
Tel no: 01983 730330
Contact: Alec Dabell
Website: www.blackgangchine.com
Brading Roman Villa, Morton Old Road, Brading, IW, PO36 OEN
Tel no: 01983 406223
Contact: Adam Watson, Acting Chief Executive Officer/Dr Mike Bishop,Curator/Adam Watson, Marketing Manager
Email: adam@bradingromanvilla.org.uk
Website : www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk/
Brading Station Visitor Centre,
Tel no: 01983 401222/401770
Contact: Sue Chilton, Brading Town Clerk
Email: townclerk@brading.gov.uk
Website: www.bradingtown.co.uk
Brading Old Town Museum, Old Town Hall, Main Rd. Brading, IW,
Tel no: 01983 405440
Contact: Lynne Attwood. Chairman, Brading Town Trust
Email: sindylynne@yahoo.co.uk
Brighstone Village Museum, North Street, Brighstone, IW, PO33 4AX
Contacts:
Godfrey Buckett, Chairman
Tel no: 01983 740589
David Chorley, Secretary/Treasurer
Tel no: 01983 740736
Email: oldbeam@talktalk.net
Calbourne Water Mill, Newport Road, Calbourne, IW, PO30 4JN
Tel no: 01983 531227
Contact: Tony Chaucer, Owner
Email: thewatermill@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.calbournewatermill.co.uk
Carisbrooke Castle Museum, Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke, Newport, IW, PO30 1XY
Tel no: 01983 523112
Contact: John Kenyon
Email: director@carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk
Website: www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk
Classic Boat Museum and Gallery, c/o Albany & Columbine Buildings, Albany Road, East Cowes, PO32 6AA
Tel no: 01983 290006
Contact: Rodney Ireland
Email: info@classicboatmuseum.org
Website: www.classicboatmuseum.org
Cowes Maritime Museum, Beckford Rd. Cowes. PO31 7SG
Tel no: 01983 293394
Contact: Corina Westwood, Curator, Human History, Isle of Wight Council
Email: corina.westwood@iow.gov.uk
Website: www.iwight.com/museums
Dimbola Museum & Galleries, Terrace Lane, Freshwater Bay, IW, PO40 9QE.
Tel no: 01983 756814.
Contact: John Holsburt
E-mail administrator@dimbola.co.uk
Website: www.dimbola.co.uk
Dinosaur Isle, Sandown, IW, PO36 8QA
Tel no: 01983 404344
Contact: Peter Pusey, General Manager
Email: peter.pusey@iow.gov.uk
Website: www.dinosaurisle.com
East Cowes Heritage Centre 8 Clarence Road, East Cowes, IW, PO32 6EP
Tel no: 01983 280310
John Barnes, Chairman/Sarah Burdett, Exhibitions Organiser
Email: eastcowesheritagecentre@onwight.net
Website: www.eastcowesheritagecentre.org.uk
IW Bus Museum, Newport Harbour, PO3O 2EF (may be moving to Ryde bus depot in 2014)
Tel no: 01983 533352 / 07850 088040
Contact: Stephen Cook, Chairman of the Trustees
Email: info@iowbusmuseum.org.uk
Website: www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk
Isle of Wight Postal Museum, Last Post, 408 Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2JX
Tel no: 01983 825193
Contact: Arthur Reeder
Email: Arthur@postalmuseum.co.uk
Website: www.postalmuseum.co.uk
Private collection open to the public by prior arrangement
Longshoremens’ Museum, Ventnor Historical & Nautical Exhibition, Esplanade Ventnor, IW PO38 1JT
Tel no: 01983 857186
Contact: Rosemary and James Blake, owners
Email: sophieblake66@hotmail.co.uk
Museum of Island History, Guildhall, High Street, Newport, IW, PO30 1TY
Contact: Corina Westwood, Curator, Human History, Isle of Wight Council
Tel no: 01983 823433
Email: corina.westwood@iow.gov.uk
Website: http://www.iwight.com/Residents/Libraries-Cultural-and-Heritage/Heritage-Service/Museum-Service/Isle-of-Wight-Heritage-Service-Museum-Serviceand www.iwight.com/museums
Newport Roman Villa, Cypress Rd. Newport. PO30 1HE
Contact: Corina Westwood, Curator, Human History, Isle of Wight Council
Email: corina.westwood@iow.gov.uk
Website http://www.iwight.com/Residents/Libraries-Cultural-and-Heritage/Heritage-Service/Museum-Service/Isle-of-Wight-Heritage-Service-Museum-Serviceand www.iwight.com/museums
Nostalgia Toy Museum, High St. Godshill, IW, PO38 3HZ
Contact: Malcolm Lake, owner
Tel no: 01983 840181 (museum); 01983 522148 (owner)
Email: malcolm@nostalgiatoys.com
Shanklin Chine Heritage Centre, Old Village or Esplanade
Office: 12 Pomona Road, Shanklin, IW, PO37 6PF
Contact: Anne Springman
Tel no: 01983 866432
Email: iowchine@nsa.com
Website: www.shanklinchine.co.uk
Ryde District Heritage Centre, Royal Victoria Arcade, Union Street, Ryde, IW, PO33 2LQ
Tel no: 01983 717435
Contact: Diana Wood, Secretary
Email: admin@historicrydesociety.com
Website: www.historicrydesociety.com
Sir Max Aitken Museum, The Prospect, 83 High Street, Cowes, IW, PO31 7AJ
Contact: Amanda Bradbeer, Secretary
Tel no: 01983 293800
Email: sirmaxaitkenmuseum@gmail.com
Website: www.sirmaxaitkenmuseum.org
The Donald McGill Postcard Museum, 15 Union Street, Ryde, IW, PO33 2DU
Tel no: 01983 568555
Contact: James Bissell-Thomas
Email: info@theorrery.co.uk
Website: www.donaldmcgill.info
The Isle of Wight Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum, Arreton Barns Craft Village, Arreton Old Village, Arreton, IW, PO
Contact: Martin Woodward, Owner
Tel no: 01983 533079
Email: museum@iowight.com
Website: www.shipwreckcentre.co.uk
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Havenstreet, IW, PO33 4DS
Tel no: 01983 882204
Contact: Peter Vail, General Manager
Email: peter.vail@iwsteamrailway.co.uk
Website: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
The Lilliput Antique Doll & Toy Museum, High Street, Brading, IW, PO36 ODJ
Contact: Graham Mundy-Whittaker
Tel no: 01983 407231 (recorded message)
Website: www.lilliputmuseum.co.uk
The Natural History Centre, High Street, Godshill, IW, PO38 3HZ
Tel no: 01983 840333
Contact: unknown
Email: curator@shellmuseum.co.uk
Website: shellmuseum.co.uk
Underwater Archaeology Centre, Fort Victoria, Near Yarmouth, IW (See Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology details below.)
Contact: Caroline Barrie-Smith
Tel no: 01983 761214
Ventnor Heritage Museum, 11 Spring Hill, Ventnor, IW, PO38 1PE
Contact: Lesley Telford, Secretary
Email: ventnorheritage@btconnect.com
Website: www.ventnorheritage.org.uk
Tel: 01983 855407
| HISTORY SOCIETIES |
Bembridge Heritage Society, c/o Linthorpe, Heathfield Road, Bembridge PO35 5UQ
Tel no: 01983 874263
Contact: Robin Maconchy, Chairman
Email: robin.maconchy@gmail.com
Website: www.bembridgeheritage.org.uk
The aims of the Society are the collation of information on the rich heritage of the village and surrounding areas, and the education and promotion of the history of our past. This is done by maintaining the Centre with displays and exhibitions, offering talks and film shows in the Village Hall, producing pamphlets, books and DVDs about the local history and reaching a wider audience with our own web site. We are now a limited Company by guarantee. Approximately 200 members.
Brighstone History Society,
Contacts:
Bob Russell, Chairman bobatphl@aol.com
Petrena Camps, ‘Pippins,’ Secretary, Casses Close, Brighstone, IW, PO30b 4AJ
Tel: 01983 740660
The society meets bi monthly at Brighstone Methodist Church Hall, New Road, Brighstone at 7.30pm when visiting speakers give talks on various local history orientated subjects. 25 members. (Non members attend on an ad hoc basis.)
Brook Village History, c/o Bank Cottage, Hulverstone, Newport, IW, PO30 4EH
Tel no: 07784 733920
Contacts: Daphne Denaro Brooke-Smith/Susan Meers, HLF project managers
Email: brookvillagehistory@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.brookvillagehistory
Having gained a HLF grant in 2010 we have held meetings, workshops, exhibitions, run guided walks and given talks, as well as producing two books and a website.
Cowes Heritage Group, 194 Newport Road, Cowes, IW, PO31 7PU
Tel no: 01983 298445/299221
Contact: David Jones, Treasurer
Email: davwin@talktalk.net
Website: www.cowesheritage.co.uk
The group collects, archives and exhibits anything connected with the history of Cowes & District. 16 members plus friends.
The Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust
Tel no: Jon Fisher 01983 293755
Email: contact@coweshammerheadcrane.org.uk
Website: www.coweshammerheadcrane.org.uk
The Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust was formed in 2005 as a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity to be the voice of the Crane to ensure that is restored as a fully functioning Crane in it’s historic public space setting and that it is preserved in perpetuity for the people of the nation. The challenge is how to make the Crane, and the maritime heritage it represents, mean something to people today and for the future.
Freshwater & Totland Archive Group, c/o Freshwater Library, 41 School Green Road, Freshwater, IW, PO40 9AP
Tel no: 01983 754285
Contact: Pauline Tyrrell, Secretary
Email: archiverescue@hotmail.co.uk
The aim of the group is to build an easily accessible local archive where the local history can be learned, shared and appreciated. 14 members
Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, Room W1/95, National Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH
Tel no: 02380 593290
Contact: Garry Momber, Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@hwtma.org.uk
Website: www.hwtma.org.uk
Historic Ryde Society, Ryde District Heritage Centre, Royal Victoria Arcade, Union Street, Ryde, IW, PO33 2LQ
Tel no: 01983 717435
Contact: Diana Wood, Secretary
Email: admin@historicrydesociety.com
Website: www.historicrydesociety.com
Historic Ryde Society formed in October 2009 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Royal Victoria Arcade. The society decided to raise funds for a permanent heritage centre in Ryde, and Ryde District Heritage Centre opened to the public in August 2011. The society runs monthly pub quizzes; has four guest speakers each year; hosts free house history workshops; and has other fund-raising events throughout the year. 16 corporate members, 54 family memberships and 94 individual members.
Isle of Wight Gardens Trust, NorthCourt, Shorwell, IW, PO30 3JG
Key Contact: Lorna McRobie, Committee Member and Membership Secretary
Tel no: 01983 616027
Email: contact@iowgardenstrust.co.uk
Website: www.iowgardenstrust.co.uk
Charity and membership organisation established in 1989 to promote the care of, and learning about, the Isle of Wight's rich heritage of gardens and designed landscapes. Activities include: research and recording; planning and conservation; and regular visits, talks and social events for members. One of 35 county gardens trusts in England and Wales, together forming The Association of Gardens Trusts. 150 members
Island Great War Archive
Tel no: 01983 563156 (evenings)
Contact: Val Sprack
Email: valeriesprack@live.com
This is a long term project of collating references to local men from the Press, published at the time. Free help is offered to family historians and other interested parties.
Isle of Wight Catholic History Society
Tel no: 01983 566740
Contact: Peter Clarke
Email: pclarke.wight@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.iow.chs.org
The society seeks to raise awareness of the Catholic history of the Island and welcomes contributions from anyone who can assist with this objective. The patron of the society is Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, a former Vicar- General of the Portsmouth Diocese, and a native of Cowes, who is familiar with the Catholic history of the Island. Members: about 90 are Island residents and 25 live on the mainland.
Isle of Wight Family History Society No official postal address
Tel no: n/a
Contact: Peter Spencer, Publicity Manager, Journal Editor and Facebook Group administrator
Email: publicity.manager@isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk
Website: www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk
The society is for all those who want to trace their ancestors. Members include people who live on the Isle of Wight but whose families came from elsewhere as well as those with Island ancestry who may live on the mainland or abroad. The society has a resource centre in Newport. 1,000 members
Isle of Wight Metal Detecting Club, 19 Watergate Road, Newport, PO30 1XN
Tel no: 01983 520795
Contact: David Downer, Hon. Secretary
Email: david@davedowner.co.uk
Website: www.iow-metaldetecting.co.uk
The Isle of Wight Metal Detecting Club is established to provide its members with the opportunity to go metal detecting on a wide variety of sites, with the permission of the farmers who own the land. The club liaises closely with Frank Basford at the archaeology services through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. All finds of significance are recorded, with a GPS reference, so that information can be made available to all through PAS. Members are interested in a wide variety of topics, including coins, artefacts, and their historical relationship to the Island. Club members are available to assist members of the public in finding lost metal objects. Around 60 members.
Isle of Wight Rifles Living History Society
Tel no: 01983 563156 (evenings)
Contact: Gareth L. Sprack
Email: gareth@glsprack.fsnet.co.uk
Related website: www.riflebrigade.org.uk
This is a loosely based group who put on displays of artefacts. Gareth also gives illustrated talks and seminars on various Island based military related subjects. The society also offers an ancestor tracing service, using an extensive archive to inform relatives whether or not their ancestors served with the Battalion.
Isle of Wight Society
East Cowes Heritage Centre, 8 Clarence Road, East Cowes, IW, PO32 6EP
Tel no: 01983 280310
Contact: Helena Hewston, Chairman
Email: isleofwightsociety.org.uk
Website: www.isleofwightsociety.org.uk
The Isle of Wight Society was formed in 1969 as an amenity society. Its key objectives are to stimulate public interest in the Isle of Wight; to promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting, the Isle of Wight; and to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the Isle of Wight. It holds meetings, lectures and exhibitions, publishes papers, reports, and other literature. The Isle of Wight Society holds an annual conservation award for buildings that have been conserved or restored, and new architecture in keeping with the character of the Island. The Society opened the East Cowes Heritage Centre in 1992, a permanent exhibition showing the development of the town from the late 1700s to the late 1900s. Over a hundred temporary exhibitions have been created on different specific subjects. These have been used to create a reference library of files covering every aspect of the Community - royalty, industry and social life. There is also a collection of local maps. Approx. 100 members. 14 of them act as stewards at the East Cowes Heritage Centre.
Newbridge Village Archive
Contacts:
Tel no: 01983 531471 Hilary Higgins, Fernhill Cottage, Main Road, Newbridge, Yarmouth, IW, PO41 0TX
Email: hhiggins33@gmail.com
Tel no: 01983 531274 Chloe Sutherland, Ivy Cottage, Main Road, Newbridge, Yarmouth, IW, PO41
Email: chmsutherland@gmail.com
Website: n./a
Newbridge Village Archive is an on-going project to record and document the history of the village. Since 2009 we have appealed for villagers past and present to share their photographs and memories with us. This has provided a large digital collection of photographs of the village and a growing collection of personal memories. It also includes some material on Shalfleet, Wellow and Ningwood, which as yet have no local history groups.
Newchurch Parish History Society
Contact: Jean Peters; peters.sanfernando@tesco.net
Contact: Bob West, 1 West Avenue, Lake, IW
Email: bobanddiwest@cwcom.net
Royal Yacht Squadron, The Castle, Cowes, IW, PO31 7QT
Tel no: 01983 292191
Contact: Emily Naish, Archivist
Email: mail@rys.org.uk
Website: www.rys.org.uk
The Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes in the Isle of Wight, founded in 1815, has extensive records. The archive, the main series of which are minutes, accounts, membership records and racing results, is not open to the public. The part-time archivist has very limited time available because of a major cataloguing project and our paid research service has been temporarily suspended. It is hoped the notes on the website and the other leaflets will address the most common queries.
Ryde Social Heritage Group
Tel no: n/a
Chairman: Marilyn Newsham
Website: www.rshg.uk
Founded in 2002, Ryde Social Heritage Group exists to research, document and share information about the history of Ryde, including the development of the town, the people, their lives and deaths, businesses and entertainments. Approx. 70 members
St Helens Historical Association
Contact: Barbara Dyer; Culekintry, Upper Green Road, St Helens, IW, PO33 1XF
Sandown & District Historical Association
Contact: Conrad Kirvan
Shanklin and District History Society
Contact: Chairman Mark Saunders. 3 Sandy Lane, Shanklin PO37 7DT
Tel: 07968 932116
Email: saunders1066@btinternet.com
Website: www.shanklinhistory.net
The society was formed to research the heritage of the Shanklin area and it has a large reference archive. Committee members are ready to answer enquiries by email, phone or post. The website is varied and changed regularly. The society holds monthly meetings, except January and August, and also exhibitions from the archives.
Shorwell Countryside and Heritage Group
Contact: Mary Barton; Whites, Main Road, Shorwell PO30 3JL
The Farringford Tennyson Society (meets at Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater Bay)
Tel no: 01983 753558
Contact: Chris Jarman, Treasurer
Email: christopher.jarman@gmail.com
28 members
The Friends of Northwood Cemetery, c/o David Jones, Secretary, 194 Newport Road, Cowes, IW, PO31 7PU
Tel no: 01983 298445
Contact: Jon Matthews, Chairman
Email: jon@friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk
Website: www.friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk
Objectives: To promote the preservation, maintenance and restoration of Northwood Cemetery including its chapels, monuments, other standing structures and burial records for the public benefit; to promote the conservation of the landscape, arboreta, flora and wildlife of Northwood cemetery for the public benefit. 250 subscriptions
The Isle of Wight Branch of the Historical Association (no premises)
Tel no: 01983 524410
Contact: Terence J. Blunden, FHA, Hon. Secretary of the Branch
Email: terence.blunden@virgin.net
The IW Branch of the Historical Association was formed in 1950. It promotes seven public lectures each year, mainly given by Higher Education lecturers who are experts in their particular area of study. 160 + members
The Isle of Wight Natural History & Archaeological Society, Unit 16, Prospect Business Centre, Prospect Road, Cowes, IW, PO31 7AD
Tel no: 01983 282596
Contact: The Secretary
Email: iwnhas@btconnect.com
Website: www.iwnhas.org
The purpose of the society is to promote, for the benefit of the public, the studies of natural history, geology and archaeology, especially in relation to the Isle of Wight, and to promote the preservation of all objects of special archaeological and geological interest. The society also records a range of natural history species. 450 - 500 members
The Isle of Wight Postcard Club
Contact: Richard Hawes, Chairman
Email: richardhawes@btinternet.com
Website: www.postcard.co.uk
The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited (The Isle of Wight Steam Railway)
The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight. PO33 4DS
Tel no: 01983 882204
Contact: Peter Vail, General Manager
Email: peter.vail@iwsteamrailway.co.uk
Website: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a registered educational charity with the objective to preserve and interpret the history of railways on the Isle of Wight. Based in Havenstreet, the Railway is a working museum operating pristine original Island locomotives and carriages dating back to 1864. Several items of rolling stock are noted to be of national importance. The IW Steam Railway operates on over 200 days each year and runs trains on a 5.5 mile line between Smallbrook Junction and Wootton station. As a major Island tourist attraction, the Railway has over 100,000 visitors each year and has won numerous awards including 2012 Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Tourism and Leisure Award winner and 2010 National Lottery Best Heritage Project 1,500 members, 350 volunteers and 23 paid staff
The Robert Hooke Society, c/o The Island Planetarium, Fort Victoria, Westhill Lane, Norton, Yarmouth, IW, PO41 0RR
Contact: Mark Handel, Chairman
Tel no: 01983 752089
Email: Mark_a_handel@hotmail.com
Website: www.roberthooke.org
Vectis Historic Vehicle Club Ltd
Tel no (mobile): 07963 584141
Contact: Peter J. Hodgson, Chairman
Email: healeypjh@dsl.pipex.com
Website: rhrc.org.uk
The Club Started life as the Isle of Wight Veteran Machinery Club in 1973, but in 1980 it's name was changed to Vectis Historic Vehicle Club to better reflect the general interests of its members. They own a wide variety of vehicle makes, including Armstrong Siddely, Aston Martin, Austin, Bentley, Bristol, Cadillac, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, Hillman, Jaguar, Lea Francis, MG, Morris, Renault, Riley, Rolls Royce, Talbot, Triumph, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Wolseley, dating from1914 to the 1970's. Over 100 members.
Vectis Searchers Metal Detecting Club
Contacts:
Richard Armiger, Chairman. Tel no: 01983 853447
Sandra Hayward, Secretary. Tel no: 01983 811186
Email: r.armiger@lineone.net
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at Camphill Prison Offers Club. The club searches for ancient artefacts with metal detectors, and ‘eyes only’ finds - flints, pottery etc. These are all reported to the portable antiquities finds liaison officer, Frank Basford. The club also gives talks to various groups on metal detecting and display finds at Island summer shows. 40 members (the maximum the club allows.)
Ventnor and District Local History Society, 11 Spring Hill, Ventnor, IW, PO38 1PE
Contact: Lesley Telford, Secretary
Email: ventnorheritage@btconnect.com
Website: www.ventnorheritage.org.uk
Tel no: 01983 855407
The society exists to promote interest in Ventnor and district’s history, and to provide research facilities at the Ventnor Heritage Museum, and by post/email. Approx. 170 members, of whom around 15 are volunteers at the museum.
Ventnor & Undercliff Heritage Partnership, c/o 5 Alexandra Gardens, Ventnor, IW, PO38 1EE
Contacts:
Chairman: Mr Richard Downing Tel no: 01983 856210
Secretary: Mrs Ann Hutchins VUHP@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.ventnorheritagetrail.co.uk
The Ventnor and Undercliff Heritage Partnership (VUHP) was formed with the following objectives:
To present and promote the heritage of Ventnor and the Undercliff, Isle of Wight in a range of formats and activities in order to:
• engage residents and visitors with the local heritage
• encourage interest and learning in local heritage, and provide links to sources of further information
• encourage visitors to the area because of its heritage offer
• develop a network of people and organisations that are involved with local heritage provision
We believe in proactive heritage delivery. The Ventnor and Undercliff Heritage Partnership will deliver heritage through a website, a town heritage trail, a heritage festival, guided tours and similar outreach activities. There are currently four active partners, an associate and a number of sponsors and volunteers.
Wootton Parish Archive
Contact: Doreen Gazey;
Email: doreengazey@aol.com
2 members
World Ship Society, IW Branch, c/o Flat 1, Greyquoins, 29 Queens Road, Cowes, IW, PO31 8EW
Tel no: 01983 295550
Contact: Anthony Westmore, Secretary
Email: tony.westmore@onwight.net
Website: www.isleofwightwss.org.uk
Yarmouth Town Trust
Tel no: 01983 760690
Contact: Lynne Rowcroft, Clerk
Email: clerk@yarmouthtowntrust.org
Website: www.yarmouthtowntrust.org
The Trust came into being in 1890 after Yarmouth was declared a ‘Rotten Borough’. The Trust’s property includes the Town Hall, the Common, the Recreation Ground, Mill Terrace and the town’s archives and artefacts. Various archives are available to view through this website and more will be added as and when possible.
Yarmouth Society
Tel no: 01983 761507
Contact: Mark Hammer; Hill Place, Hill Place Lane, Thorley, PO41 0XJ
Email: info@yarmouthtowntrust.org
Website: www.yarmouthtowntrust.org
The Yarmouth Society meets usually on the 2nd Tuesday of the month throughout the winter, at Yarmouth Primary School at 7.30pm. The Society was established to stimulate public interest in Yarmouth and its surrounding area and to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area. Over time it is hoped to include items for the Yarmouth Society on the Yarmouth Town Trust website.
| ISLE OF WIGHT HERITAGE SERVICE |
The Isle of Wight Heritage Service is a department of the Isle of Wight Council. It consists of the County Record Office, the Local Studies Collection, the Museums Service and the Archaeology and Historic Environment Service.
The County Record Office holds collections of primary source documents including deeds, estate records, church registers, maps and illustrations. There are also some local newspapers on microfilm and a card index of entries in surviving parish registers. The Office is open Monday and Wednesday to Friday. Bookings advised for microfilms of newspapers and parish registers. The County Archivist is Richard Smout.
IW County Record Office
26 Hillside, Newport, IW, PO30 2EB
Tel: 823821 e-mail: record.office@iow.gov.uk
web: http://www.iwight.com/Residents/Libraries-Cultural-and-Heritage/Records-Office/Record-Office/About
The Local Studies Collection contains printed material about the Isle of Wight, mainly in book form but with some magazines and pamphlets. The main part of the Collection is housed at Library Headquarters at Somerton near Cowes but some items, such as trade and street directories and electoral registers, are kept at the Record Office (see above).
(All Island libraries have an Isle of Wight section with collections of varying size and content.)
The Museum Service is responsible for the museums operated by the Council. These include the Museum of Island History at the Guildhall in Newport, Cowes Maritime Museum, Dinosaur Isle and Newport Roman Villa. Please check for individual opening times. The Curator is Corina Westwood.
Museum Service
Guildhall, High Street, Newport, IW, PO30 1TY
Tel: 823433 e-mail: museums@iow.gov.uk
web: http://www.iwight.com/Residents/Libraries-Cultural-and-Heritage/Heritage-Service/Museum-Service/Isle-of-Wight-Heritage-Service-Museum-Service
and: www.iwight.com/museums
The Isle of Wight Archaeology and Historic Environment Service is based at the Westridge Centre, Ryde. Amongst its many responsibilities are the maintenance of the Historic Environment Record, formerly the Sites and Monuments Record, a database of important sites on the Island. Open Monday to Friday by appointment. The Senior Archaeologist is Rebecca Loader.
Archaeology and Historic Environment Service
Westridge Centre, Brading Road, Ryde, IW, PO33 1QS
Tel: 823810 e-mail: archaeology@iow.gov.uk
Web: http://www.iwight.com/Residents/Libraries-Cultural-and-Heritage/Heritage-Service/Archaeology/About-us
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is located in Newport. The Finds Liaison Officer, Frank Basford, is available to assess finds between 10.30 and 14.30, Mondays to Fridays.
Guildhall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1TY
Email: Frank.Basford@iow.gov.uk
Tel: 821000 ext. 5866
Web: www.iwight.com/living_here/planning/Archaeology/Finds/
National PAS web: www.find.org.UK
Compiled by:
Esme Ballard, BA, AMA
November 2013
Acknowledgement
With grateful thanks to Isle of Wight historian and County Councillor, John Medland, who kindly provided a similar list which has formed the basis of this update.