Museum of Immigration and Diversity facts for kids
The Museum of Immigration and Diversity is a special museum located at 19 Princelet Street in the Spitalfields area of London, England. It tells the story of people who moved to London from other countries. The museum is inside a historic house that has its own amazing story.
The building is so important that it is protected by law as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very special part of England's history. The house was first built in 1719 for a wealthy French family, the Ogiers. They were Huguenots, who were Protestants that came to England to escape trouble in France.
Over many years, the building has been a home, a place of worship, and now a museum. It shows how different groups of people have helped shape the neighborhood of Spitalfields.
Contents
History of the Building
The story of 19 Princelet Street is a journey through London's history. It shows how the area has changed and welcomed people from all over the world.
A Home and a Place of Worship
The house was built for Peter Abraham Ogier, a Huguenot silk merchant. For many years, it was a family home. But as new communities moved into the area, the building changed, too.
In 1869, the house was turned into a synagogue, a place of worship for Jewish people. Many Jewish families had moved to the area, and they needed a place to gather. The synagogue was used for over 100 years. By the 1970s, many families had moved away, and the synagogue closed.
Becoming a Museum
In 1983, a charity called The Spitalfields Centre was created to save the building. Their goal was to turn it into a museum that celebrates immigration and the diverse cultures of London.
The museum honors all the different people who have lived in Spitalfields, from the French Huguenots and Irish weavers to the Jewish community and the Bangladeshi families who live there today.
Visiting the Museum
Because the building is almost 300 years old, it is very fragile. To protect it, the museum is not open for general visits. Instead, groups can book a visit in advance to see inside.
The museum is on the Buildings at Risk Register, which is a list of important historic sites that need repairs. It has received money from English Heritage to help fix the building so that it can be preserved for the future.
See also
- History of the Jews in England
- List of former synagogues in the United Kingdom
- Rodinsky's Room, a book about a person who lived in a room above the synagogue
External links
- 19 Princelet Street website
