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Museum Details
Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow
Vestry Road
Walthamstow
E17 9NH
London
England
Collection details
Archaeology
Architecture
Archives
Costume and Textiles
Fine Art
Industry
Land Transport
Law and Order
Personalities
Photography
Science and Technology
Social History
Toys and Hobbies
Trade and Commerce
Facilities
Parking: yes
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
020 8509 1917
E-mail
:
vestry.house@al.lbwf.gov.uk
Website
:
www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house-museum
Open
Thurs 12.00 - 16.00
Fri 12.00 - 16.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00
During school holidays only, the Museum is also open on Wednesday 12.00 - 16.00
Admission charges
Admission is free
Description
Only a few minutes walk from Walthamstow's busy shopping centre, Vestry House Museum is wating to unlock the story of the people of Waltham Forest.
The Museum is housed in Walthamstow's original workhouse, built in 1730 as a home for local paupers. In the 19th century the house was used as a police station and one of the old police cells can still be seen. After various uses, the building was converted to a museum in 1930.
The Museum is in the attractive conservation area of Walthamstow Village which has many fine historic buildings and is, itself, well worth a visit.
Collections description
The Museum now serves as a centre for the collection, preservation and interpretation of the past and present story of the people of Waltham Forest, where visitors can learn about the long and fascinating history of the changing local community. As well as having a large social history collection of objects, the Museum holds approximately 80,000 historic photographs of the Borough, is the home for the Local Studies Library and also houses the Borough Archives.
Key artists and exhibits
The Museum holds displays on the development of local industry, the history of costume, the history of local policing and Victorian and Edwardian domestic life in Waltham Forest. One particularly unusual exhibit is the Bremer car. Built locally by a young engineer, Frederick Bremer, between 1892 and 1894, it is one of the earliest motor cars built in Britain and is certainly the first car made in London.
Articles
MGM 2008 - From Climate Change To Sport In MGM Debates
News In Brief - Week Ending March 25 2007
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Guided tours
Collections
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Disability Access
Braille information and/or interpretation
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Large print information and/or interpretation
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
Events and resources for children and families
Gardens open to public
General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Loan service
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups
Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Facilities for private functions and events
Gardens open to public
Library with public access
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
Shop
Study facilities
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.