We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (Closed Sundays and Mondays)
Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society
The history of Wells & Mendip Museum is intertwined with that of the Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society. The society was formed in 1888, and Herbert Balch, the founder of the museum, was one of its original members.
The society has a programme of winter lectures and a series of summer walks and excursions to places of interest in the region. The current programme is posted below.
As well as free access to the society's talks, members may use the museum and its facilities without charge. To join WNHAS, please download and complete the application form, and return it to the secretary at a meeting, drop it off at the front desk, or post as indicated on the form.
President: Allen Cotton, O.B.E.
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Chair: Mark Hutchinson
Secretary: Ms Jane Burman
Programme
Indoor meetings are held in The Lecture Hall at Wells & Mendip Museum
Non-members of the Society are very welcome (£4.00)
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The indoor programme for Autumn 2024 onwards is published below, and the Summer 2025 visits programme will follow when available.
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The Cheddar Brooch
Amal Khreisheh, Curator of Archaeology, South West Heritage Trust
7 Feb 2025
at
7:00 pm
Discovered in 2020, the Chedddar Brooch comes from a time when the survival of Saxon Wessex was in doubt and Somerset provided a refuge for King Alfred the Great at Athelney. It is one of the most important single objects ever found in the county. Amal Khreisheh will describe the Brooch and explain its historical context.
The talk is in conjunction with Wells Cathedral School History Department
The Hanging Pyx Cover in Wells Cathedral (& Annual General Meeting)
John Munns, Associate Professor of History and Art History, Magdalene College, Cambridge
7 Mar 2025
at
7:00 pm
John Munns specialises in the material and religious culture of the Middle Ages. His talk will revisit a Victorian antiquarian dispute about the purpose of the 'curious lantern-shaped object ' now hanging beneath the north-west tower of Wells Cathedral and look at some of the evidence for it being the only surviving example of a 13th Century wooden pyx cover.
Red Gold of Africa: Benin, Brass, Bristol and Slavery
Tony Coverdale
4 Apr 2025
at
6:00 pm
Early modern West African society placed great value on brass, one manifestation being the Benin Bronzes (actually brass). Portugese merchants exploited this love, trading brass from the Low Countries for ivory, gold, and slaves. Bristol Merchant Venturers broke into this trade in the 18th Century. In response, industrialists opened mills in the Avon Valley to smelt copper, alloy brass and manufacture products for the Guinea market, at its peak operating thirteen mills. But with the abolition of slavery the market collapsed and the industry was decimated. Tony Coverdale of the Saltford Brass Mill Project will present on this fascinating topic.
King John's Hunting Lodge Museum, Axbridge, Somerset
Visit to the museum
8 May 2025
at
10:00 am
Housed in in a 15th century merchant's house, the museum is run by The Axbridge and District Museum Trust, a group of dedicated local volunteers. We have arranged exclusive access for a curated guided tour.
The Saltford Brass Mill, Saltford, BS31 3EY
Visit to the mill
5 Jun 2025
at
10:00 am
Following on from the presentation in April about brass milling in the Avon Valley, we have scheduled a guided tour of Saltford Brass Mill. The mill is the most complete survivor of an extensive group of 18th century mills in the Avon Valley that were engaged in the production of copper and brass goods.
Ham Hill Country Park, Stoke Sub Hamdon, TA14 6RW
Visit to Ham Hill*
3 Jul 2025
at
10:00 am