Museum of Richmond facts for kids
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| Established | 1988 |
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| Location | Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, London |
| Type | Local history museum |
| Collection size | More than 5000 objects |
| Founder | John Cloake |
| Public transit access |    Richmond |
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The Museum of Richmond is a cool place to learn about the history of Richmond and its nearby areas. You can find it in the Old Town Hall in Richmond, very close to Richmond Bridge. Queen Elizabeth II herself officially opened the museum on October 28, 1988.
This museum is an independent charity, which means it runs on its own but gets help from the Richmond upon Thames Borough Council. Dr. Nicola Mann is in charge of the museum's board of trustees, and Gary Enstone is the museum's Curator.
Contents
Discover Richmond's Past
The museum has lots of permanent displays that show Richmond's history from the medieval times right up to today. These exhibits cover the stories of Richmond, Kew, Petersham, and Ham. These areas were once part of the Municipal Borough of Richmond (Surrey) before some local government changes in 1965.
What You Can See
Some of the most exciting things to see at the museum include:
- Pieces of 16th-century glass from Richmond Palace.
- A detailed model of what Richmond Palace looked like.
- A famous painting called The Terrace and View from Richmond Hill, Surrey by a Dutch artist named Leonard Knyff (1650–1722). This painting is part of the Richmond upon Thames Borough Art Collection.
The museum also hosts special temporary exhibitions, fun educational activities, and events for families and children. These activities often explore the history of the entire modern borough.
Visiting the Museum
The museum also puts on interesting talks. You can visit the museum from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and the best part is that admission is completely free!
Museum's Story
The Museum of Richmond was started in 1983 by local people who loved history. A local historian named John Cloake led the effort and became the museum's first chairman. Kate Thaxton was the first curator, working there from 1987 to 1989.
Special Exhibitions
The museum often has new and exciting temporary exhibitions. Here are some of the recent ones:
Current and Recent Exhibitions (2020s)
- Trailblazing Women – Richmond's Sporting Superstars (June 2025 – March 2026): This exhibition celebrates amazing female athletes from the Richmond area. It features tennis players Kitty Godfree, Betty Nuthall, and Gem Hoahing, as well as golfer Pamela Barton.
- Wish You Were Here: From Horace Walpole to Ted Lasso (2024–25): This exhibit explored the history of tourism in Richmond, from famous historical figures to modern TV shows.
- Artificial Silk: From Kew to the World (2023–24): This exhibition told the story of rayon, also known as artificial silk. This important material was invented in Kew at the start of the 20th century.
- Richmond Remembers: 100 Years of the Poppy Factory (2022–23): This exhibit honored the Poppy Factory, which began in 1922 to help wounded soldiers find jobs after the First World War. The factory moved to Richmond in 1926.
- OT50 – Fifty Years of the Orange Tree Theatre (2021–22): This exhibition celebrated 50 years of the local Orange Tree Theatre. You can even find some of the stories from people involved with the theatre online.
- The King's Observatory: Richmond's Science Story (2021): This exhibit looked at the history of the King's Observatory in Old Deer Park. The observatory was finished in 1769, just in time for King George III to watch the transit of Venus that year. An extended version of this exhibition is available online.
- Queen's Road: 500 Years of History (2020–21): This exhibition explored the long history of Queen's Road, Richmond, a famous road that goes from Sheen Road to the top of Richmond Hill. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a digital version of this exhibition was also created and is still available online.
Past Exhibitions (2010s)
- Celebrating 800 years of St. Mary Magdalene at the heart of Richmond (2019–20): This exhibit celebrated the long history of Richmond's historic parish church.
- Museum of Richmond 30th anniversary exhibition: 30 years, 30 people, 30 objects (2018–19): This special exhibition marked the museum's 30th birthday by highlighting 30 important people and objects from its history.
- Archaeology: Richmond's Prehistory (2018): This exhibition explored the very ancient history of Richmond, long before written records.
- The Royal Star & Garter: 100 Years of Care (2016–17): This exhibit marked 100 years since the first Royal Star and Garter Home was founded in Richmond to care for injured service members.
- 1914–1918 Richmond at Home and at War: Local stories and their international links (2014–15): This exhibition looked at how Richmond experienced the First World War.
- Encountering the Unchartered and back – Three explorers: Ball, Vancouver and Burton (2014): This exhibit told the stories of explorers Henry Lidgbird Ball, George Vancouver, and Richard Burton, and their connections to Richmond.
- Royal Minstrels to Rock and Roll: 500 years of music-making in Richmond (2012): This exhibition explored the rich history of music in Richmond over five centuries.
- How the Vote Was Won: Art, Theatre and Women's Suffrage (2010): This exhibition looked at how art, theatre, and local efforts helped women gain the right to vote.
Museum Supporters
The museum has several important people who support its work. Princess Alexandra is the museum's royal patron. Other patrons include famous people like broadcaster Sir David Attenborough and actor and writer Julian Fellowes, Lord Fellowes of West Stafford.
See also
In Spanish: Museo de Richmond para niños
Images for kids
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Self-portrait of the artist Arthur Hughes
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The Poppy Factory's headquarters in Richmond
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Self-portrait of the artist Spencer Gore
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French painter Camille Pissarro's impression of Kew Green in 1892
