news.today
Hello · Register today | LoginHello · My Account[—] [32]
UK

Essex aviation museum to permanently close next Saturday

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 11:28 · Archive

Wethersfield Airfield Museum in Finchingfield will permanently close after its final opening next Saturday, returning its collection to storage. The museum, established in 2016, preserves the history of RAF Wethersfield and the British and American personnel connected with the former military base. It received 600 visitors this year.

The museum was originally located at RAF Wethersfield itself before being displaced when the Home Office began using the former base as asylum accommodation in 2023. It subsequently moved its collection into storage before securing premises in Finchingfield, where its displays were able to return.

RAF Wethersfield has a military history stretching back to the Second World War. The airfield was developed during the conflict and was used by American forces, including the US Ninth Air Force. It was later brought back into use during the Cold War and became associated with the US Air Force for many years before eventually returning to British control.

The museum has worked to preserve that history through its collection of displays, models and memorabilia connected with the different British and American units which served at Wethersfield. In announcing the closure, the museum team said: 'RAF Wethersfield is Gone but not Forgotten'.

Essex aviation museum to permanently close next Saturday
Image: Brentwood Guardian

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

In this story: Wethersfield Airfield Museum · RAF Wethersfield · Finchingfield · US Ninth Air Force · US Air Force · Home Office

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem