About Us

The Society was formed as the Herne Bay Records Society in 1932, [The Society's name was changed to Herne Bay Historical Records Society in 1988] under the auspices of Dr. T. Armstrong Bowes MA, MD, FSA when various archaeological specimens and other records relating to Herne Bay and district were donated to the Society. The Society was formed to foster an interest in the history of the district. The original founders included a number of elderly residents who had been born in the early years of the town and had already gathered a great amount of information and many objects of interest forming the basis of the Society’s present extensive collection. This has been expanded by gifts, bequests and purchases over the years to include books, prints, maps, paintings, photographs, picture postcards, documents and ephemera of all kinds.

The Society's Museum and its archives were originally accommodated in the hall at No. 53 Mortimer Street, however it has subsequently been housed in several locations in the town. In 1939, the collection moved to the Public Library in the High Street, where it remained for more than 50 years. Following this it was housed in the Heritage Centre on the seafront, now occupied by Scoops, before moving to the Seaside Museum at No.12 William Street in 1996. More recently, the collection has moved to a new  permanent home on the top floor of Pettman House, in Hanover Square. All are welcome to visit us there on a Wednesday morning between 10.00 and 12.30, for any enquiries or to view the collection.

Today the Society is flourishing and maintains contact with its members by means of local history talks, also held at Pettman House each month. All enquiries should be addressed to either the Membership Secretary or the Archivist.