Essex Regiment Exhibition
This exhibition tells the story of the county's Regiment from its origins in 1741. It explains the nickname 'The Pompadours' and follows the Regiment's fortunes throughout the major conflicts in the British Empire, the World Wars and the Korean War.
Various trophies are displayed, including the famous Salamanca Eagle, a Napoleonic standard captured from the French in 1812.
Another highlight of the exhibition is an oil painting of the 'Last Stand at Gundamuck'. The painting depicts the final stand of the 1842 Kabul retreat by Her Majesty's 44th regiment (later the Essex Regiment).
Essex Yeomanry Exhibition
A small exhibition follows the Essex Yeomanry from its founding in 1794 as a volunteer cavalry formed by prominent landowners.
Today, the Yeomanry is part of the Territorial Army's 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment in the Royal Corps of Signals.
Highlights of this exhibition are uniform, weapons and other artefacts, including a banjo and wooden tray that belonged to local hero Harold Mugford VC.