Museum collection tour 2019 | Thurrock Museum

During February and March 2019, we invited you to vote for your favourite object from a selection of 10 items from our archives.

We received 340 votes, and the results were as follows.

Object	Votes
Iron Age minted coins	72
Clock and medal	70
Women's war uniform	69
Melted hotel bell	58
Top hat and cane	49
Roman pottery	35
Olympic Games bronze medal	33
16th century masonry	32
Medal for exceptional service	27
Tennis racket	20

The 3 winning objects went on a touring exhibition of the borough throughout the summer and autumn of 2019. Visitors had an opportunity to handle objects, and interactive activities showed how we look after objects at the museum.

You can read a little about each of the winning objects below.

Iron Age minted coins

Did you know that people were exchanging money as early as 150BC? These coins, found in Thurrock, are thought to be the earliest examples of minted coins in this country – but who made them, and what do their images mean?

Clock and medal

This clock and medal were once awarded to a local hero for an act of bravery. The River Thames was a dangerous place in the 1900s, taking many lives. Discover out how a humble dock worker risked his own life to save another.

Women's war uniform

This uniform belonged to a local woman who carried out many important roles in south Essex during the Second World War. Find out about the woman who wore it and the Women's Land Army in Essex.

Heritage Fund support

This project was supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.