The above pdf document outlines a sketch history of Bridgwater Heritage Organisations. Bridgwater’s history has been preserved by numerous organisations and historians. The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, founded in 1849, and the Somerset Record Society, established in 1886, both contributed significantly to documenting Bridgwater’s past.
Key figures like William Baker, Emanuel Green, Thomas Bruce Dilks, and Maurice Page produced major historical works.
The Blake Museum, opened in 1926 as part of the Brighter Bridgwater project, holds extensive archival material and reference collections.
The Bridgwater Field Club, later renamed the Bridgwater and District Archaeological Society, was founded in the 1960s, promoting archaeological study and community events.
The Bridgwater and District Civic Society, launched in 1972, has protected local heritage and created initiatives like blue plaques and town trails. Local historians like Philip James Squibbs and John F. Lawrence enriched historical awareness through publications.
The Friends of Wembdon Road Cemetery, founded in 2010, work to maintain and research the historic cemetery.
The Bridgwater Heritage Group, established in 2012 by Dr. Peter Cattermole, digitises and shares local history resources online, supporting education and community memory. Together, these organisations and individuals have ensured that Bridgwater’s rich historical legacy remains accessible and celebrated.
