Revitalisation of Vestry House Museum – July 2024 Update
Waltham Forest Council is working to revitalise Vestry House Museum, a well-loved cultural and heritage site in Walthamstow Village. The council has appointed a multi-disciplinary design team led by architects Studio Weave to work on the project.
Studio Weave have received planning approval to transform Vestry House Museum. The architecturally ambitious proposals have been guided by an attitude to sustainability and care for the historic building, aiming to make as few changes as possible to allow the museum to flourish. They are now focusing on developing an approach to the museum curation and construction is expected to start on site later this year.
An outline of the works includes:
• Refurbishment of the building and museum, including new ramp access to aid accessibility
• Relocation of the public museum to the ground-floor level
• Partial demolition/rebuild of the ‘millenium’ extension in the garden, and relocation of the cafe to the extension
• Installation of a platform lift which will provide wheelchair access to the first floor
• Formation of new primary entrance to the museum via the existing historic door, plus new doors from Church Path to access the cafe
Vestry House Museum is temporarily closed to the public to prepare for the capital works for this project. The Museum is scheduled to reopen in early 2026.
Working in consultation with local residents, the revitalisation project will transform the local history museum into a welcoming heritage destination where visitors can find a place to work, rest and discover the diverse stories of Waltham Forest and its people. The revitalisation will include an enhanced heritage and community offer, improved access, new creative workspaces and a café.
Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library
Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library are relocating to a new, accessible home at Chingford Assembly Hall in September 2024. The official opening date will be announced closer to the time.
Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library house collections which can be used to find out about the history of our borough and its communities. Archival sources include parish and workhouse records, local council minutes, school log books, business records, family and estate papers. Local studies library sources include maps, local newspapers, directories, biographical publications, and business histories. You can use these resources to discover more about your family history in Waltham Forest, the history of your house or your street, or to research the lives of past residents who have contributed to the rich and diverse history of Waltham Forest.
Situated in the north of the borough, Chingford Assembly Hall was chosen as the new venue for the Archives and Local Studies Library due to its increased space and level access. Waltham Forest Council engaged with current users and community groups as part of this exercise and will be reopening the Archives and Local Studies Library in 2024 in a space that is welcoming and available to all Waltham Forest residents, and to visitors from beyond the borough.
You can find out more about Waltham Forest Archives here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an archive?
An archive is the unique documentation generated by historical events, business administration, legal transactions, or other past activities. It can be created in any medium (paper, digital, audio, or visual), and can be invaluable for historical research. An archive repository is a facility for the safe storage of archive collections, usually incorporating a search room to enable research visits. Local authority archives are often housed alongside local studies library printed collections.
Why will Waltham Forest Archives be moving to Chingford Assembly Hall?
Waltham Forest Council looked at different spaces and buildings to house the archive, with advice from sector leads at the National Archives. An essential part of this project was to ensure that the Archives’ new home will be fully accessible to all and will have the necessary space for a strongroom to provide secure, fireproof and environmentally stable conditions for the storage and preservation of archival material.
Why will the Archives not remain at Vestry House Museum?
Relocating Waltham Forest Archives to a new site makes the service more accessible to residents and users, with more space gained at Vestry House Museum for future public use.
Will there be any other activities planned using the Archives?
We continue to collaborate with local history societies and community groups on how we can create accompanying activities for Waltham Forest residents, including engaging with schools and students, and hosting talks and other events.
Will you be improving digital access?
We are applying for funding to develop a digital catalogue and for digitisation of selected holdings to enable future remote access.
A new collaborative community model
The revitalisation of Vestry House Museum is supported by £4.5m from the borough’s Levelling Up Fund (including £800k match funding from Waltham Forest Council). Once fully operational, Vestry House Museum will welcome more visitors, up to 80,000 per year, deliver an enhanced learning and training programme for up to 60 school visits annually and provide 60 training and employment opportunities for local young people. It will also support the local economy through the provision of creative workspace.
Vestry House Museum will establish a new collaborative and sustainable operational model once it reopens. During the design phase, the council will be seeking an operator through a competitive process to run the site.
For more information on the revitalisation project and to get updates on its progress, please sign up for our newsletter here.
We have prepared answers to some frequently asked questions which you can find below.