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 organ ...

which holds material documenting the history of the

London Borough of Islington The London Borough of Islington ( ) is a London borough, borough in North London, England. Forming part of Inner London, Islington has an estimated population of 215,667. It was formed in 1965, under the London Government Act 1963, by the amalg ...

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 Islington and

Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury The Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury was a Metropolitan boroughs of the County of London, metropolitan borough within the County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the Metropolitan Borough of Islington to form the Borough ...

. 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 and Kenneth Halliwell *Archives of the Sadler's Wells Theatre, 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 Morris William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English textile designer, poet, artist, writer, and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement. He was a major contributor to the revival of traditiona ...

*Artworks and personal papers of Walter Sickert.

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 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 an inner-city area of north London, England, within the wider London Borough of Islington. It is a mainly residential district of Inner London, extending from Islington's #Islington High Street, High Street to Highbury Fields ...

Libraries in the London Borough of Islington