Earlier in its life it was also known as the Essex Local and Educational Museum of Natural History.

In an agreement made between the Corporation of West Ham and the Essex Field Club, dated 25 July 1898, the museum was to be founded as follows: John Passmore Edwards contributed substantially to the foundation of the museum and its name was later changed to reflect this.

[citation needed] The museum building adjoined the West Ham Technical Institute and was opened in 1900 by Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick.

It closed in 1994, and its collections were transferred to Newham Heritage Service and other museums.

[5][6] Its building is now used as the Student Union for the Stratford Campus of the University of East London.