Islington Local History Centre is a local studies centre and

archive An archive is an accumulation of historical records or materials – in any medium – or the physical facility in which they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or ...

which holds material documenting the history of the

London Borough of Islington The London Borough of Islington ( ) is a London borough in Inner London. Whilst the majority of the district is located in north London, the borough also includes a significant area to the south which forms part of central London. Islington has ...

History

Islington Local History Centre, which is located in

Finsbury Library Finsbury is a district of Central London, forming the south-eastern part of the London Borough of Islington. It borders the City of London. The Manor of Finsbury is first recorded as ''Vinisbir'' (1231) and means "manor of a man called Finn" ...

, was opened in 2003. This new centre was established to bring together the local history collections of the former

Metropolitan Borough of Islington Islington was a civil parish and metropolitan borough in London, England. It was an ancient parish within the county of Middlesex, and formed part of The Metropolis from 1855. The parish was transferred to the County of London in 1889 and became ...

and

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. Formation and boundaries ...

. These boroughs were merged in 1965 to form the modern

. 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.

Special collections

The centre also holds deposited special collections, including the following material: *The Islington library book covers vandalised by

Joe Orton John Kingsley Orton (1 January 1933 – 9 August 1967), known by the pen name of Joe Orton, was an English playwright, author, and diarist. His public career, from 1964 until his death in 1967, was short but highly influential. During this brie ...

and

Kenneth Halliwell Kenneth Leith Halliwell (23 June 1926 – 9 August 1967) was a British actor, writer and collagist. He was the mentor, boyfriend and murderer of playwright Joe Orton. Childhood Halliwell was born in Bebington. He was very close to his moth ...

*Archives of the

Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue in Clerkenwell, London, England located on Rosebery Avenue next to New River Head. The present-day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500-seat ...

, the

Royal Agricultural Hall The Business Design Centre is a Grade II listed building located between Upper Street and Liverpool Road in the district of Islington in London, England. It was opened in 1862, originally named the Agricultural Hall and from 1884 the Royal Agri ...

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 Morris William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was a British textile designer, poet, artist, novelist, architectural conservationist, printer, translator and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement. He ...

*Artworks and personal papers of

Walter Sickert Walter Richard Sickert (31 May 1860 – 22 January 1942) was a German-born British painter and printmaker who was a member of the Camden Town Group of Post-Impressionist artists in early 20th-century London. He was an important influence on d ...

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 Museum.

Admission and access

Admission is free and the centre is open to all. However, researchers wishing to view material are required to make an appointment to visit as space is limited. The centre is fully accessible for wheelchair users but there is no accessible parking.

The Clerk's Well

Islington Local History Centre also manages the historic

Clerk's Well Clerkenwell () is an area of central London, England. Clerkenwell was an ancient parish from the mediaeval period onwards, and now forms the south-western part of the London Borough of Islington. The well after which it was named was redis ...

near Clerkenwell Green. Visits to the well can be arranged free of charge but by appointment only. See also

References

External links

Islington Heritage Services homepageEntry for Islington Local History Centre in the ARCHON directory
{{Authority control History of the London Borough of Islington

Islington Islington () is a district in the north of Greater London, England, and part of the London Borough of Islington. It is a mainly residential district of Inner London, extending from Islington's High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the ar ...

Libraries in the London Borough of Islington