Newhaven Historical Society & Museum

A turbulent history in the pub life of Lewes
2025-06-03 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Hillcrest Centre, Bay Vue Road, Newhaven, BN9 9LH, United Kingdom
Speaker: Mathew Homewood.
Lewes was once famous for having ‘seven churches, seven breweries, and seventy pubs’. Although much has been written about Lewes pubs themselves, little has been researched on the people and goings-on within these establishments. This talk will take an intriguing look at the landlords, landladies, customers, and the highs and lows of the pub trade. From the smoking concerts, social clubs and family celebrations, to the mass closing of many of the town’s popular inns and taverns, causing much heartbreak for landlords and customers alike. The high number of pubs in the town inevitably resulted in much drunkenness. This reached its height during the Edwardian period, and many an amusing tale will be told about the drunken behaviour (by both men and women) at that time.
Members free.
Guests welcome: £5.00.
Doors open at 6:45pm.

Newhaven's Industrial Past and its Influence on its Present
2025-04-01 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Dr Will Pilfold.
This talk will explore the rich industrial history of the town, from the coming of the railway in 1847 to the present. Drawing heavily on the valuable collection of photographs held at Newhaven Museum we will remember the Marine Workshops, dockside life, Vacco, Thorn/EMI, Parker Pen and much more. Sadly, the constant process of renewal and alteration in the face of technological changes and economic pressures means that most of this industrial scene has gone. However, the legacy of its industrial past is witnessed by the present industries in the town – how long before they too become history? This talk is preceded by the society’s AGM.
Members free.
Guests welcome: £5.00.
Doors open at 6:45pm.

Warship Ashore! New Perspectives on the wreck of HMS Brazen
2025-02-04 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Dr Cathryn Pearce.
Speaking at our Hillcrest meeting for the first time is Cathryn Pearce, a Peacehaven-based senior lecturer in Naval and Coastal History at the University of Portsmouth. This evening, Cathryn will share some new perspectives on the history and legacy of the wreck of HMS Brazen, lost under our cliffs in 1800. Where did the story we know come from? What other stories can be told? Rather than a simple tale of shipwreck and loss, Cathryn shows how Brazen was also central to Brighton and Newhaven’s experience of privateering, smuggling, shipwreck, salvage, and death during the French Revolutionary War.
Members free.
Guests welcome: £5.00.
Doors open at 7pm.

Entertaining Sussex Women
2024-12-03 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Louise Peskett.
Speaking to our society for the first time, we welcome Brighton-based Louise Peskett; a women’s history author, Royal Pavilion Guide, tour deviser, museum teacher and everything to do with Women’s History. This evening she looks at some of the women from our county who have had careers in entertainment – from some of the earliest silent film stars to fortune-tellers, aquatic entertainers, drag artists, singers, and music hall stars. Some household names, some less well known.
Members free.
Guests welcome: £5.00.
Doors open at 7pm.

Lewes from a Newhaven Perspective
2024-10-01 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Bob Cairns.
How did residents of Newhaven interact with Lewes in times gone by? Perhaps by catching the train or the 123 bus service to get to school or a workplace. Maybe a visit to the market, the auction rooms or the cinema. There was live music in the pubs and in the Town Hall – did you know Pink Floyd played there in 1968? Then of course, there was the Horse Racing at Lewes Racecourse, the spectacle of Lewes Bonfire in November and watching Newhaven Football Club play against Lewes at the Dripping Pan. Bob Cairns, who was brought up in Newhaven, where he has traced his ancestors back to 1680, reflects on the relationship between the two towns by delving into his huge collection of postcards and photographs.
Members free.
Guests welcome: £5.00.
Doors open at 7pm.

But I’ll be Sober in the Morning!
2024-06-04 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Tony Harris
Join us for a tour through Winston Churchill’s life brought to us by actor/historian Tony Harris. During his last visit, he brought Henry VIII to life for us and now turns his attention to the Country’s greatest ever statesman. There will be anecdotes and snippets from his famous war time speeches plus the chance to question the great man afterwards about his thoughts on The Queen, De Gaulle and Stalin among others.

Newhaven Museum Showcase
2024-04-02 19:30 - 21:00
(Preceded by the Annual General Meeting)
Speaker: Dr Jenny Flood
Following a fascinating presentation in 2022 when Jenny spoke about Newhaven in old photos, she now looks at some of the interesting and curious artefacts in the Newhaven Museum collection. With 1000s of items to choose from, there’s plenty of scope to cover a wide range of topics related to Newhaven’s past. Why not come along and find out some more about the history on your doorstep!

The Coast at Work
2024-02-06 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Dr Geoffrey Mead
Geoffrey makes a welcome return to talk about the many aspects of the economy of the Sussex coast. Expect to hear about fishing, boat building, piers, holiday parks and much more. The speaker is passionate about the Sussex landscape with a fantastic local knowledge of its geography and evolution over millions of years.
