This outing was part of a theme - the accompanying talk took place on Friday18th September, the report may be found on this link: Researching Police Ancestors
Members of Canterbury Branch were met by Paul Upton, the Kent Police Museum’s Curator, who gave us a short introductory talk about the museum. He said it had previously been housed in Chatham Dockyard, which several members recalled. It has now found a hopefully more permanent home in the former Faversham Police Station as the building may only be used for Police purposes. Currently the Museum has the entire ground floor and it is hoped eventually to have the entire building once the upper floor is no longer needed.
Faversham Police station was opened in 1904 and once had Superintendents houses on either side. The station had 4 cells which were used until the 1990s having been decommissioned in the late 1980s. Today two cells are laid out as they would have been when they were used to hold prisoners. A third holds a video with an inmate's description of their stay and the fourth is the Archive. You are encouraged to take a look at the archive via the spyhole in the cell door. Further exhibits show the history of Policing in Kent and Faversham with a Timeline from the days of the parish constable and the Watch, the first Policeforce, Police in the two World Wars, the introduction of Women police etc.
There are some displays where you can learn about crime scenes, finger prints, why Police hat badges are different day to night, forgeries of currency and forgeries of Lord Nelson's Collectables. Also on display are uniforms and equipment from the past and future. Plus a Police motorbike which you are encouraged to sit on. An invitation which our Chairman David Wood, who arranged the visit, could not resist! But I think he was slightly disapointed that as it's fastened to the floor and he couldn't take a spin on it!
The Kent Police Museum is in Church Rd, Faversham ME13 8AL
Parking is in Church Road either side of All Saints church.
Opening in 2026 Easter to October, Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm, except Bank Holidays.
More information: https://www.visit-swale.co.uk/attractions/kent-police-museum-2203/
Report by: Tricia Baxter, Canterbury Branch Hon. President