harlow has a local museum, which hold exhibitions and which contains artefacts on harlow's historic past, charting the story of the town through the ages. harlow museum is in muskham road, and is set within the grounds of a sixteenth-century manor building with walled gardens. the museum is currently operated by science alive, who also run the time machine gallery at the leisurezone. the museum is run in conjunction with the essex records office (ero) which holds family history archives in the search room. admission to the museum is currently free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation to ensure future maintenance of services.