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Medway Archives Centre is an essential function in the preservation of Medway's long and very rich history and performs a vital service in collecting contemporary records and details of our cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.
We also have an important role to play providing content for teaching, learning and research, as well as for leisure. This includes finding opportunities for sharing as much material as we can with as many people as possible through our regular exhibitions, displays and drop-in events.
Come along and meet the team in person, we'd be delighted to see you...
 📅 Saturday, 3 December 2022, 10am to midday.
Our wide-ranging poster collection offers a glimpse into Medway’s past. Not just informative, but often works of art too, some of these posters are unique and rarely seen.
From politics and war to theatre and local businesses, and from the 19th century to the modern day, a selection of this important collection will be available to view at Medway Archives Centre.
Come along to our drop-in event and enjoy browsing the posters, chat to staff and volunteers, and plan a return visit to view more of the fascinating posters in our collection.
This a free event. Booking not required, just drop in.
 This display focuses on Twydall from the Stone Age period until its development as a housing estate in the 1950s. There is evidence from archaeological finds in 1908 that there was prehistoric activity in the Lower Twydall area, and this display examines the flint tools discovered.
Originally the area was all part of Twydall Manor. Discover who the early Lords of the Manor were and their impact on the local agricultural community. Twydall was fertile farming land and over the centuries small farmsteads were established.
In the 1860s the railway line was built which bisected Twydall. There was a severe shortage of homes following World War Two bombing and so the council viewed this as prime building land and a housing development was proposed.
However, this did initially meet with strong opposition from local farmers. This was called a ‘town within a town’ and included provision for shops, a library, green space and places of worship. By the early 1960s the development was complete and is little changed today.
The area to the north of the railway line has altered little over the last hundred years or so. It still consists of small farms and farmland. Quarrying was carried out in the late Victorian and Edwardian period for use in the local brick and cement works along the River Medway at Lower Rainham. There have been attempts to develop this area in more recent years for housing, but until now this has been unsuccessful.
📅 Monday, 7 November 2022 until Saturday, 21 January 2023.
This display is available to view during our normal opening hours.
For anyone with an interest in local heritage and in particular Chatham. We have a large collection of photographs of Chatham High Street.
If you would like to browse our photographs, why not get in touch and we can arrange a visit.
This iconic image of Chatham High Street from Military Road was taken for the Chatham Borough Engineers Department c.1965
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Cherry pickers at Pump Lane Farm, Rainham. Taken about 1900
Are you interested in learning more about your family history? Or perhaps you’re an experienced family historian but have hit a brick wall? We are offering free sessions with a knowledgeable and friendly volunteer. Bring to life your family's history by exploring the lives of who went before you.
If you would like to book a session, please ring us on 01634 332 714
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