main content Social History Collection

The museum has nearly 6,000 objects in its social history collections stretching from the 18th century to the present day. These are just some of the highlights.

World War II

The museum has many items relating to the last war, including three detailed maps showing where bombs, 'doodlebugs' and rockets fell across the Borough. The Bromley area was badly affected by enemy action as it was on the flight path of bombers and missiles aiming for central London. Indeed the last V2 rocket of the war to fall on British soil hit Court Road, Orpington on March 27th 1945. The only casualty was Ivy Millichamp, who was also one of the last British civilians to be killed by enemy action.

The Squirt

The museum's largest item is the 'squirt', an 18th century fire engine. As early as 1708, by a statute of Queen Anne, each parish was obliged to provide and maintain two engines with ladders and equipment. Under this statute Bromley in due course became possessed of two machines. Later one of these was housed in a shed in Widmore Road and was popularly known as the 'squirt'. With the expansion of the town it became apparent that these were inadequate and a volunteer fire brigade was formed in the late 1860s.

Local Government

The modern London Borough of Bromley was formed in 1965 through an amalgamation of the former boroughs of Beckenham and Bromley and the urban districts of Orpington, Penge and part of Chislehurst and Sidcup. The museum holds a number of items relating to these former administrative areas including the grant of arms for Orpington UDC.

Contacts 

Telephone:  01689 873826
e-mail:  bromley.museum@bromley.gov.uk

Address: Bromley Museum, The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HH