The Salomons Museum comprises two rooms within the Salomons Estate located on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. The Salomons were a Victorian family renowned for scientific endeavour and for campaigning for the political rights of Jews and other religious minorities. Sir David Salomons (1797-1873) became the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London in 1855.

In 1937 Vera Bryce Salomons left the house to Kent County Council with the proviso that it be used in an educational, scientific, medical or museum capacity. The family heirlooms and papers were collected together into the Memento Rooms which now make up the museum.

The Estate also features on the Jewish Country Houses website.

Archive Description

The Salomons Museum commemorates three generations of the Salomons family and includes artefacts and documents illustrating the wider Jewish world in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The main elements of the collection are family heirlooms including letters, photographs, portraits, religious books, scientific books, official catalogues, testimonials, patent specifications, medals, embroideries, furniture and other memorabilia.

Access Information

Many of the items are on display in the museum which is open daily to visitors to the Salomons Estate. Check opening times with Reception at the Salomons Estate 01892 515152.

For general collection enquiries and access to photograph albums and other documents please contact the museum curator.

You will need to arrange a date and time in advance of your visit and bring official identification.

Online Accessibility

Malcolm Brown’s 1968 catalogue continues to be a good general guide to the collection.

The catalogue can be downloaded from the National Archives website (NRA 13573).

There is also detailed information on Jisc Archives Hub (GB 2464 SF).

Street Address

Broomhill Road
Southborough
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
TN3 0TG