The Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum is entirely run by volunteers from the Ascension Island Heritage Society. That society was founded in 1966 on the initiative of Doug Rogers, one of the Americans on the island, who persuaded the then Acting Administrator, Major Anthony Beyts, to gather together all the interested parties. Sir John Field, Governor of St Helena, became their Patron, and allowed Fort Hayes to be used as a museum. Amongst things they display are geological specimens, a wooden coffin (discovered in Comfortless Cove), and a Victorian fire engine.The museum also contains many historical items linked to the island, along with wireless equipment, photographs and documents charting the island’s history. A recent find was an historical bell.Between 2014 and 2015 the museum was completely restored and revamped. The Heritage Museum was reopened on 22 May 2015. The Historical Society has many on-going plans for the museum, including a Community Room and the Faces of Ascension project.