Bill Penn remembered in Gravesend
We were very lucky in Gravesend to have the services of a remarkable man who dedicated a tremendous amount of his time and energy to the excavations at Springhead. William S. Penn, or Bill to his loyal band of amateur archaeologists, came on the scene in 1950 and showed tremendous interest in the excavations at that site. Bill, a member of the KAS and Gravesend Historical Society, soon took up the challenge of scientifically excavating the site and did so in a very thorough manner until his untimely death in 1968.
As manager of the Milton Chantry Heritage Centre and custodian of some of the artefacts from that time, I decided that it would be appropriate to name one of the rooms after him.
And so on the 12th November last year a number of eminent archaeologists and historians were gathered together to celebrate the dedication of the plaque. I would like to thank those members of the KAS who came to Gravesend and particularly to thank the Society for the contribution it made towards the bronze plaque.
Alan M. Ridgers
The Heritage Centre is open from March to December on weekends and Wednesday to Sunday from April to September. Located in the Fort Gardens, Commercial Place, Gravesend. Small entrance charge. A visit also affords the opportunity to visit the New Tavern Fort, also open during the summer months.