Tributes have been paid to a “popular” town historian who has died aged 75.

Former manager at Dartford Borough Museum Chris Baker died peacefully in his sleep on September 14.

Apart from a brief career in refrigeration engineering at J. & E. Hall’s, Chris spent his whole working life at the museum in Market Street after joining in November 1974.

He started off as a museum assistant before becoming assistant curator, then acting curator and eventually museum manager in 1999.

Chris retired early in 2011 and published several local history books throughout the years.

After retiring, he became a local studies volunteer at Dartford Library.

He had been a member of Dartford District Archaeological Group since January 1973 and became its director in 1983, a position which he held until his death.

On retirement he became a Local Studies volunteer at Dartford Library helping visitors access the facilities.

In 2002 he won a Kent volunteers award for his work with the archaeology of Dartford.

Chris was also President of the Dartford Historical and Antiquarian Society, having been a member since the 1970s.

In recent years had acted as curatorial adviser to the Wilmington Heritage Centre.

Chris was also a popular speaker, giving talks and slideshows on history and archaeology to local clubs and groups.

A memorial gathering took place at the museum on Thursday, October 17, with around 70 attendees.

Friends, family, and museum curator Dr Mike Still, who had been friends with Chris for 41 years, delivered a eulogy in honour of him.

After a toast to Chris’s memory, the group moved on to the Malt Shovel public house for a buffet.