Islington Local History Centre
Encyclopedia
Islington Local History Centre is a local studies centre and archive
which holds material documenting the history of the London
Borough of Islington
.
and Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury
. These boroughs were merged in 1965 to form the modern London Borough of Islington
. The collections were previously held at Islington's Central Reference Library and in smaller premises at Finsbury Library.
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Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
which holds material documenting the history of the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Borough of Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
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History
Islington Local History Centre, which is located in Finsbury Library, was opened in 2003. This new centre was established to bring together the local history collections of the former Metropolitan Borough of IslingtonMetropolitan Borough of Islington
The Metropolitan Borough of Islington was a Metropolitan borough within the County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury to form the London Borough of Islington.-Boundaries:...
and Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury
Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury
The Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury was a Metropolitan borough within the County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the Metropolitan Borough of Islington to form the London Borough of Islington.- Boundaries :...
. These boroughs were merged in 1965 to form the modern London Borough of Islington
London Borough of Islington
The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. It was formed in 1965 by merging the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies, Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury...
. The collections were previously held at Islington's Central Reference Library and in smaller premises at Finsbury Library.
Collections
Resources available at the Local History Centre include maps, photographs, census records, electoral rolls, trade directories, newspapers and archive material. These collections are useful sources for research on family history, local history, biographical history and other subjects.Archives
The Islington Local History Centre is not a formal archive repository for Islington Council but its collections include records of the metropolitan boroughs of Finsbury and Islington, including council and committee minutes, rate books and publications, as well as records of the earlier vestries of St James Clerkenwell, St Luke Old Street and St Mary Islington, including minute books and rate books. Other local authority material includes records related to local baths, such as Ironmonger Row BathsIronmonger Row Baths
-Archival records:Islington Local History Centre holds plans, photographs and commemorative material related to Ironmonger Row Baths.-External links:*...
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Special collections
The centre also holds deposited special collections, including the following material:- The Islington library book covers vandalised by Joe OrtonJoe OrtonJohn Kingsley Orton was an English playwright.In a short but prolific career lasting from 1964 until his death, he shocked, outraged and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies...
and Kenneth HalliwellKenneth HalliwellKenneth Halliwell was a British actor and writer. He was the mentor, boyfriend and eventual murderer of playwright Joe Orton.- Childhood :... - Archives of the Sadler's Wells TheatreSadler's Wells TheatreSadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
, the Royal Agricultural Hall and Dove Brothers builders - Records of the estate of the Penton family of Pentonville
- Records of local societies such as the Islington Literary and Scientific Society
- Personal papers of local people, including the diaries of teacher Gladys Langford and memoir of cabinet maker Henry Price, who made furniture for William MorrisWilliam MorrisWilliam Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
- Artworks and personal papers of Walter SickertWalter SickertWalter Richard Sickert , born in Munich, Germany, was a painter who was a member of the Camden Town Group in London. He was an important influence on distinctively British styles of avant-garde art in the 20th century....
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Displays and events
The centre has a regular programme of small temporary exhibitions, including visiting displays and displays of material from its own collections. The centre also hosts occasional talks and contributes to the events programme at Islington MuseumIslington Museum
Islington Museum is a public museum dedicated to the history of the London Borough of Islington-History:Islington Museum opened in May 2008, funded by a £1million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The museum, which replaced a previous museum at Islington Town Hall, is owned and operated by...
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