The Harwich Society

General information

In late 1968 two events took place which were responsible for the foundation of the Harwich Society: an exhibition of muniments at the Town Hall arranged by Len Weaver together with a display of photographs and prints of yachts by Frank Hussey, historian of the Royal Yacht Club, and a collection of old prints and photographs of Harwich by Winifred Cooper, and the other, the appearance on Anglia Television of Bob Wellings and Winifred Cooper on the Redoubt, which developers wished to demolish for the erection of flats, but in the nick of time it was listed as an Ancient Monument and the idea abandoned.

Many people were disturbed at the changing character of the old town and the disappearance of many historic buildings, both Len Weaver & Winifred Cooper were pressed to start a historic society. To test the water a meeting was organised on the 7th February 1969 which was attended by around 60 people, and so was born the Harwich Society.

The Harwich Society is restoring the largest ancient monument in the area,The Harwich Redoubt Fort, part of the Martello chain built during the Napoleonic Wars.It established and maintains a Maritime Museum in a disused lighthouse, and two other iron lighthouses fully restored.

It erects commemorative plaques on Historic Buildings and Sites.