Transatlantic Treasures on Display As Essex WW1 Museum Reopens

View/Download Full Press Release (PDF)

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome opened its doors today (Friday 13 February) for the 2026 season, with a new exhibition based on the life of Royal Flying Corps Captain Lindop Evans Brown.

The curated display takes pride of place in a new gallery space that has been created as part of the reorganisation of the welcome area and gift shop. The objects on show, which recognise the life and wartime service of Captain Lindop Brown, have been loaned to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome by the intrepid World War One pilot's descendants, who now live in the USA.

Objects on display include badges – among them his iconic RFC wings – uniform and flying equipment that were used by the Captain in his role as a Home Defence pilot during the Great War.

Historian and Museum Ambassador Stephen Nunn comments: "This is a remarkable collection of historical objects directly linked to a Great War pilot – and in many ways representative of all the young men who were not only pioneers of aviation but of aerial warfare."

The Museum has a packed programme in the months ahead, with living history, wildlife events, flying displays and a second new exhibition scheduled for later in the year.The event programme commences with Dawn Patrol, a series of small-group wildlife walks in the early morning to visit the site's carefully managed wildlife areas, followed by breakfast in The Airmen's Mess café. Dawn Patrol will be held on Sundays 12 & 26 April and 10 May. Booking is essential.

That is closely followed by a World War One Living History Weekend on 2-3 May and a brand-new event,The Stow Maries Motorbike Show, on Saturday 16 May. For details of all the year's events, and to grab tickets for the two major shows of the year, Wings & Wheels on 24 May and The Stow Maries Air Show on 16 August, before they sell out, visit www.stowmaries.org.uk/events.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "We are really excited about 2026. As well as our major air events, which both sold out last year, we have a fabulous selection of added-value events that are included in our standard admission price, and two new exhibitions that will bring tales of the Great War to fresh audiences."

The Museum is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm. The new family-friendly pricing structure for 2026 means that children aged 0 to 10 are now free on all standard admission days, and prices for adults and concessions have been frozen.

For more information visitwww.stowmaries.org.uk.