There are plenty of ways to get involved with the history and archaeology of Hertfordshire. Why not visit a museum or join an archaeological society?
Many Portable Antiquities Scheme finds can be seen on display at museums around the county (see the links that accompany the descriptions below).
Museums
North Hertfordshire Museum in Hitchin is a brand new museum that tells the story of North Hertfordshire from its geological origins to the present day. It includes archaeological finds throughout, but highlights include the Roman Kelshall Treasure (a PAS group of finds, BH-D67AF4) and the Woman and Three Babies. The museum is also home to what is believed to be the earliest collection of football memorabilia in the world.
The Clock Tower is a rare example of a freestanding medieval belfry still standing in St. Albans High Street.
Hertford Museum aims to collect, preserve and interpret evidence of the history of the county town and surrounding parishes in the district of East Hertfordshire. The Museum cares for in excess of 100,000 objects. Our collections include archaeology, paper ephemera, ethnography, fine art, geology, natural history, photographs, social history and the Hertfordshire Regiment collection. They also hold the Addis company archive, including the largest collection of toothbrushes in the UK.
Hertford Museum displays many PAS finds including the Buntingford medieval silver nativity ring (BH-DDC968) and some nice Bronze Age material (SUSS-1B5E40 and BH-3E31A6).
The Hypocaust in Verulamium Park is a modern building which houses a Roman mosaic and underfloor heating system.
Sopwell Ruins is an open field site full of history. Sopwell Nunnery was founded on this site in 1140, although no trace of the nunnery remains and the ruins are those of Lee Hall, a Tudor mansion.
Verulamium museum stands on the site of the Roman town of Verulamium. It tells the story of everyday life in Roman Britain. The Turner’s Hall Farm Roman assemblage is on display here.
Societies & Organisations
A list of local history and archaeological societies is maintained by Local History Online here.
