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About the History Centre
Since the beginning of the 20th century, many people
including some eminent local historians, have been
interested in researching and documenting the story of
Little Baddow. This has generated a large collection of
photographs, pictures, maps and documents which form little
Baddow’s “Parish Chest”.
In the 1980s it was discovered that two of America’s
founding fathers had fled religious persecution from the
non-conformist school they taught in Little Baddow. Thomas
Hooker became ‘The Father of American Democracy’ and John
Eliot the ‘Apostle to the North American Indians’. Links
between Little Baddow and North America have been
re-established through the United Reformed Church.
In the religious turmoil of the 17th century, Little Baddow
strongly supported non-conformist ideas. The Chapel, now
the United Reformed Church, was built in 1707 and is one of
the earliest non-conformist chapels in Essex with a
fascinating history. The Chapel participates in the Living
Churchyard Scheme of wildlife conservation resulting in the
preservation of many exhibits.
For some years the possibility of providing purpose-built
accommodation for these records was discussed . Led by the
URC who agreed to release some land and act as guarantors
for the project, the History Centre was completed in 2004
following a local fund-raising appeal and receipt of grant
awards. Our first programme of exhibitions and events began
in February 2005 and since then we have welcomed over 200
visitors.
The History Centre is managed by a committee of
representatives from the village. In addition to the
storage and classification of the various records, its brief
is to organise displays and events, and offer an educational
resource to schools and other organisations.
Further grant applications for display stands, a digital
projection system and other items have been made.
The History Centre is run by volunteers and its running
costs are met by donations.
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