About Us

Who We Are

Adams Heritage Centre is a volunteer led, not-for-profit organisation which exists to encourage, promote and widen education and interest in Fenland history, heritage, arts and culture with particular reference to Littleport, the old ironmongers JH Adams and surrounding areas.

The centre, well located in the middle of the village, is developing through grant support the range of heritage and cultural experiences we are able to offer to our local community and visitors from further afield.

A Brief History

Built over 100 years ago in 1893 as an ironmongers, the shop now a large heritage centre, has all the original Victorian counters, shop fixtures and fittings and a magnificent set of small mahogany drawers and shelves, which were used to house nuts, bolts, screws, nails, pigments, lamp fittings, gun cartridges. Claiming to ‘serve all classes of domestic and builders ironmongery’.

Now modernised to the rear with a kitchen, disabled access toilet and heating, the centre houses a store of archive materials and related artefacts from the original Adams Ironmongers going back over 100 years, a true insight into the social and economic history of the community. AHC holds many hand written ledgers detailing all sales and accounts in the shop dating almost back to when it first opened.

Adams among its many claims to fame became the sole importer for the Norwegian Hagen speed skates, which the shop fitted sold and maintained for customers. Used locally for the infamous skating matches held on the flooded Moors in Littleport in the late 1900s and the early 20th century, the revolutionary design remained more or less unaltered until the 1990s.

Keeping History Alive

Making the history of Adams alive for all

Originally opened in 1893 Adams stands as a time capsule though the ages of the Fens and Littleport. The original J.H Adams & Sons Ironmongers was purpose built over 100 years ago, in the heart of Littleport. When it closed finally in 2010 it was bought by a local businessman and leased on a peppercorn rent to the village to preserve its history, interior and artefacts. It is in essence a place for the local community, a space to meet, to learn, share conversation and take part. A heritage centre where yesterday meets with today.

See our articles

Events & Workshops

Get involved!

Adams Heritage Centre hosts and organises heritage based exhibitions, talks and workshops. It also promotes local contemporary arts and culture through artist/maker exhibitions and related artisan craft workshops. The Centre is currently collecting works from local artist makers to create a new contemporary heritage section to enhance the existing artefacts. It is in essence a centre for the local community a space to meet, share conversation and take part.

See our events

Community Engagement

Bringing people together, it's our main goal

We support local community groups who meet regularly in the centre including Littleport Time Bank, Littleport Lions, the Littleport Camera Club and Littleport Crafters and a drop in informally artist led painting and drawing group.

Groups currently using and associated with Adams