Livesey Museum for Children facts for kids
The Livesey Museum for Children was a special place in London, England. It was located on the Old Kent Road in the London Borough of Southwark.
This museum was one of the few children's museums in the United Kingdom. It was known for creating a brand new, hands-on exhibition every year. These exhibitions were perfect for children under 12, and the best part was that admission was completely free! The museum was housed in an old public library building and was supported by the local council, Southwark Council.
The exhibitions explored many interesting topics. Some themes included "Shelter," "Energy," and "Myths & Legends." The museum did not have its own permanent collection of items. Instead, it borrowed objects and artwork from Southwark Council's historical collections for each new show.
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The Livesey Museum: A Special Place for Kids
The Livesey Museum for Children offered a unique experience. Unlike many museums where you just look, this museum encouraged kids to touch, explore, and learn by doing. Each year, a new theme would come to life with interactive displays. This made learning about different subjects fun and exciting for young visitors.
Why the Museum Closed
In February 2008, Southwark Council made a difficult decision. They voted to close the museum. It was planned to shut its doors on March 1, 2008. This decision was made because of budget cuts, even though the museum was very popular and successful.
Many people were sad about the closure. A group of supporters started a campaign to keep it open. This group later became a registered charity called the Friends of the Livesey Museum for Children. They hoped to create a trust, raise money, and run the museum for the community.
What Happened to the Building?
After the museum closed, the future of the building became a topic of discussion. In April 2008, it was discovered that the building was actually owned by a trust, not directly by the Council. This meant the Council could not easily sell the building.
Several groups offered ideas for what the building could be used for. One proposal came from the Friends charity. Eventually, Southwark Council decided to let the building to Theatre Peckham. However, this plan needed approval from the Charity Commission to change the building's official purpose from a library to a theatre rehearsal space. A plan was suggested in 2009, but it did not get enough money to happen.
By February 2010, the building had temporary residents. Since then, it has been part of a "guardian scheme." This means people live there temporarily to help keep the building safe and secure.
In November 2012, Southwark Council approved a group called Treasure House (London) CIC as partners for the building. Treasure House planned to use the building to provide education for young people aged 13–19. These were students who might not be able to attend regular schools. They also wanted to offer educational and cultural programs for the local community.
A Look Back: The Building's History
The Livesey building has a long and interesting history. It was given by a generous local person named George Livesey in 1890. He wanted it to be a free public library for the area. The building served as a library until 1966. At that time, the council moved its library services to a different location, and the building closed to the public.
The building itself is a Grade II listed site. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected. There is also a statue of George Livesey in the grounds of the former museum. This statue, created by Frederick Pomeroy, is also a Grade II listed item.
