Between 1883 and 1929, 2509 libraries were built across the globe with money donated by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. One of these was in Southend-on-Sea on the South East coast of England,costing £9000 and completed in 1905. The building remained the central library until it was superseded by its larger, Brutalist neighbour in 1974, after which it reopened in April 1981 as a museum and planetarium.
The museum occupies the ground floor of the building, and traces the local and natural history of the area since its Bronze Age origins. Ruled by the Celtic Trinovantes tribe until the Roman invasion of 54 BC, the proximity of the settlement to the RIver Thames made it convenient for transport to London and to an ample supply of valuable salt.
As well as exhibits from the various historical eras, the museum also houses over 1000 items recovered from the 17th Century naval warship London, one of more than 760 recorded wrecks in the Estuary. The London was part of a convoy travelling to the Netherlands to collect the exiled King Charles II but sank as the result of an onboard explosion with the loss of over 300 men. The Dutch cannon now takes pride of place near the entrance.
Undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of the exhibits are from the burial site of the Anglo-Saxon noble discovered in nearby Prittlewell. In 2003 an almost intact burial chamber was excavated during investigations for a proposed road widening scheme. Due to the number of high quality items in the chamber, the occupant was quickly nicknamed ‘King of Bling’. Gold coins, a belt buckle and foil crosses are now on show along with coloured glass vessels, drinking horns, a silver spoon, iron knife and the remains of a lyre.
While it is uncertain who the individual was who was buried in the mound, appraisal of the relics dates the site to AD 580s-590s, and although the only human remains are tooth fragments, the absence of jewellery suggests it was a male. Initially it was thought that it might be the grave of King Sledd c587-604, but as he was a pagan, the Christian relics imply that it was more likely to be a brother or another powerful kinsman.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also arranges an array of temporary exhibitions. The latest of these has been about EKCO, the local plastics firm which became a global name in the first half of the 20th Century in radio and domestic plastic designs, including the daring Art Deco inspired round Bakerlite radio which is now highly collectible.
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In 2021 Southend was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II, one of the last cities accorded this honour during her reign, and the decree document was given to the Museum to display.
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Patricia Tyler is a recently retired Intensive Care Sister. A childhood spent visiting museums and stately homes led to a lifelong fascination with history. Other interests include reading, travel, supporting Southend United Football Club and Lego.