Eastleigh Museum - Eastleigh's Community History Archive
We have a wide variety of information on the history of the Borough drawn from our collection of local material. You can use the Local Studies area for private research, for school projects or just for general interest. It’s arranged into easy to use topic files, each containing a selection of photographs, press-cuttings, extracts from published articles and topographical illustrations.
We’ve got local reference books and archives, including an extensive collection of maps, plans, books, letters, printed ephemera, and everything from local trade directories, bill heads from local traders, Parish records and census information on microfiche, and photographs. The photographic collection includes postcards, albums and slides from the 1890s to the present day. Copies of photographs in the collection can be made on request.
If you are researching something in particular, it is always best to phone the Museum in advance to check that there is a relevant file.
How can I use the Local Studies Area?
The Local Studies material is on the ground floor of the Museum as part of the public displays. There are tables and chairs, maps and a microfiche reader. If you cannot find what you are looking for, ask a Museum Assistant – it may be that there is material available elsewhere.
If you need to make notes, please bring pencil and paper with you. Ink pens or ballpoints are not allowed to be used in the Local Studies area. We are unable to lend out any material, but we can make photocopies of most items on request, and subject to copyright restrictions, for research and private study purposes only.
The Museum has information on the following parishes
- Allbrook
- Bishopstoke
- Botley
- Bursledon
- Chandlers Ford
- Eastleigh
- Fair Oak
- Hamble
- Hedge End
- Netley
- North Stoneham
Topics covered include
- Railways and the Locomotive Works and Carriage and Wagon Works
- Eastleigh Airport and the Spitfire
- Domestic Life in the 20th Century
- Education and Local Schools
- Religion and Local Churches
- Local Trades and Industries
- Leisure and Entertainment
- The Second World War
- Streets and Houses
- Shops and Commerce