Wandsworth Museum facts for kids
The Wandsworth Museum was a special place in Wandsworth, a part of southwest London, England. It was a local museum that showed the history and stories of the people living in Wandsworth. The museum displayed old items and art that taught about the skills and traditions of local people, both from the past and today.
Contents
Museum History: What Happened?
Early Challenges and Reopening
In 2007, the Wandsworth Museum had to close down for a while. Many people were upset about this, including the UK Museums Association, which is a group that supports museums. This closure made more people interested in the museum's collections.
After being closed for three years, the museum opened its doors again in September 2010. This was possible because local people who loved the museum, called philanthropists, promised to give £2 million to help it.
Later Closures and Collections
Sadly, the museum closed again in 2016. After this, the local government, Wandsworth Borough Council, and the Battersea Arts Collection became the caretakers, or "custodians," of all the museum's items. This means they now look after the collection.
The museum was officially registered as a charity from 2008 until 2017. Being a charity means it was set up to do good for the community, not to make money.
Museum Building and Exhibits
Where Was the Museum Located?
Between 2010 and 2016, the Wandsworth Museum was located in a historic building. This building was the former West Hill Reference Library, found at 38 West Hill in Wandsworth. It was a Victorian-style building made of stone, with a grand look. The museum was run by the local government, the Wandsworth Borough Council.
What Could You See Inside?
The museum showed the long history of Wandsworth and other parts of the borough. It displayed many interesting items from different time periods. One special item was an amazing Iron Age shield that was found in the River Thames.
The museum also had many other collections that people could look at. For a few years, until 2014, it even featured a special area called the De Morgan Centre. This part of the museum showed beautiful pottery made by William de Morgan and lovely paintings by Evelyn De Morgan.
