Lottery boost for Lambeth heritage

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will pay for a new display telling the story of Lambeth through the memories of local people and famous residents such as Elias Ashmole, founder of the Ashmolean Museum and the Tradescant family (plant hunters and gardeners).  By exploring the area's communities, horticulture and proud industrial past, the new display will seek the borough's hidden heritage, bringing communities closer together.

Local people will be interviewed about their experiences and views on how the residents, traditions and businesses of Lambeth have contributed its local culture, identity and its place in wider London history. 

Research will represent all local communities and where possible, project volunteers from the area will be used.  The resulting display will be made relevant to key events including Black History Month and the Lambeth Riverside Festival.

"Many people do not know that Lambeth has a rich and proud history which played an important role in London's growth as a diverse world city," commented Sue Bowers, HLF regional manager for London.

"HLF is very happy to be supporting this project because it will highlight the wealth of fascinating heritage waiting to be discovered in the Borough.  Local people will be able to celebrate this and discover their shared histories, bringing communities closer together."

Victoria Farrow, chief executive of the Museum of Garden History, said: "We have a number of historical objects with strong links to the Borough.  The development of this important section of the Museum will allow us to make these more accessible, alongside the exciting contributions of current residents we are planning.

"We are delighted that HLF has enabled us to make this happen."

 A variety of objects will feature, including Doulton Lambethware donated by a private collector, garden artifacts and relevant ephemera.  All the interviews will be made available to Lambeth Archives and the display will feature on the museum web site.

To ensure that a wide number of people benefit from and enjoy the project, the museum's education officer will work with local schools to run workshops based on the project and a schools learning pack will be provided.  A booklet will be produced to accompany the exhibition.

Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey added: "The Museum of Garden History is one of the many hidden gems in Lambeth. I am delighted that the HLF has granted this award which will enable the Museum to tell the story of our local history in an imaginative way and one which will be suitable for our school children."