Vestry House Museum
Encyclopedia
Vestry House Museum is the local history museum for the London Borough of Waltham Forest
, and stands within the village of Church End, Walthamstow
. This secluded area still preserves a rural atmosphere, although it lies only a quarter of a mile from Walthamstow's main shopping centre and barely six and a half miles from the City of London.
Vestry House, a two storey building of brown stock brick, was constructed in 1730 as a workhouse
by order of the Walthamstow Vestry. It was later a police station and a private house.
Vestry House Museum is financed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest
and since 1931, when it was opened by Sir Ernest Pollock, Master of the Rolls, it has been the borough's museum and local studies library and archive.
The first motor car to be driven in London and the first built in Britain is displayed at the museum. Frederick Bremer
built the car in Walthamstow
.
The Museum holds family activities on the third sunday of every month and on selected Wednesdays during school holidays. It also has a varied programme of temporary exhibitions.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
, and stands within the village of Church End, Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
. This secluded area still preserves a rural atmosphere, although it lies only a quarter of a mile from Walthamstow's main shopping centre and barely six and a half miles from the City of London.
Vestry House, a two storey building of brown stock brick, was constructed in 1730 as a workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
by order of the Walthamstow Vestry. It was later a police station and a private house.
Vestry House Museum is financed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
and since 1931, when it was opened by Sir Ernest Pollock, Master of the Rolls, it has been the borough's museum and local studies library and archive.
The first motor car to be driven in London and the first built in Britain is displayed at the museum. Frederick Bremer
Frederick Bremer
Frederick William Bremer was a British gasfitter, plumber. engineer and inventor recognised as the man who built the first petrol driven car in Great Britain in 1892.-The Bremer car:...
built the car in Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
.
Visiting information
Vestry House Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm. Pre-booked groups, including school groups, are also welcome on Tuesdays.The Museum holds family activities on the third sunday of every month and on selected Wednesdays during school holidays. It also has a varied programme of temporary exhibitions.