Redbridge Museum

Redbridge Museum explores the many different people, places and events which make up the history of our Borough.

What's in the Museum?

What's in the Museum?

Moving Stories Meet some of the people who have lived and worked in Redbridge between 1940 and today

The March of Bricks and Mortar Discover how Redbridge grew from a number of villages to a modern suburb between 1900 and 1939

Rural Redbridge Find out what life was like in the local area in the 1800s

Time Zone Explore over 150,000 years of local history through interactive displays

Find out more on what you can find in the Museum (PDF 719KB)

Visit Exploring 20th Century London to find out more about some of the items in Redbridge Museum's collection.

Since opening in 2000, we have worked with hundreds of local people, produced more than 70 exhibitions and displays, attracted more than 200,000 visitors, held over 600 family activities, and taught 33,518 school pupils. Find out more about how we work in partnership with local groups and individuals

What's on?

Wonder Women: 100 Years of Women's Lives in Redbridge

Tuesday 13 November 2018 to Saturday 27 April 2019

To celebrate 100 years since the first women in the UK won the right to vote, this exhibition explores the lives of women in Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford over the past century.

From the days of ‘mistress and servant’ to the varied lives of today’s diverse communities, this exhibition tells the story of local women in their own words.

Beginning with the Suffragette campaign to gain the vote and the impacts of two world wars, the displays uncover the changing pattern of work, community, culture, education, family life and sisterhood.

Featuring new films about women’s lives today alongside a wealth of historic objects, photographs and oral histories, this is a unique chance to meet Redbridge’s very own ‘Wonder Women’.

This exhibition is in partnership with Woodford County High School.

Redbridge Museum is a partner in www.snappingthestiletto.com

Derek B: The Woodford Rapper

Tuesday 2 October to Saturday 29 December 2018

In this new small display, Redbridge Museum celebrates the life of rapper and local Woodford boy, Derek B.

Derek shot to fame in the late 1980s as one of the first black British rappers to make it big in the UK.

On display for the first time are photographs, albums and music from his life, lent by his family and friends. This includes his Silver Record celebrating 60,000 album sales, on loan from the Black Cultural Archives.

Ilford Football Club Heritage Project - can you help?

Redbridge Museum is working with Ilford F.C on an exciting new project about the history of the club. Founded in 1881, Ilford F.C have been one of the most successful amateur clubs in the country.

We would love to hear from anyone with Ilford F.C items or memories. The project will lead to a major exhibition, book and new website, supported by an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Please contact Michael Foley, Ilford F.C Chairman or redbridge.museum@visionrcl.org.uk, 0208 708 2317.

Redbridge and the First World War

Redbridge Museum is commemorating the centenary of the First World War through a new website and book about the impacts of the First World War on Redbridge. Both are fully illustrated and feature extensive new research not previously published. Copies can be purchased from Redbridge Museum and most Redbridge libraries.

Visit the Redbridge and the First World War website

Family events

House Stories (for families)

Saturday 13 October
11.30am-12.30pm
Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Have you ever wondered what stories your house holds? Like who lived there before you or what was on the site of your house before it was built? Come along to this workshop to find out how to research the history of your home. This is an event as part of Fabula Festival.

This is a FREE event. First come, first served.

Train Tales (4-10 yrs)

Saturday 13 October
1pm-3pm
Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Once upon a time, steam trains ran in Ilford. Come along and make your own train and find out about this wonderful means of transport. Go on adventures and create some stories to share. This is an event as part of Fabula Festival.

This is a FREE event. First come, first served.

Prince or pauper? (for families, 8 yrs+)

Sunday 14 October
11.30am-12.30pm
Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Have you ever wondered what stories your family history holds? Would you like to trace your history but don't know where to start? Come along to this session and find out about our genealogical online resources and discover your ancestors. This is an event as part of Fabula Festival.

This is a FREE event. First come, first served.

Moving Mammoths (4-10 yrs)

Sunday 14 October
1pm-3pm
Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Did you know that mammoth remains have been found in Ilford? Find out about this amazing discovery and make your own mammoth with a moving trunk. Turn it into a puppet and create your own stories. This is an event as part of Fabula Festival.

This is a FREE event. First come, first served.

Treasure Trail (for families)

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 October
11am-3pm
Redbridge Central Library

Join us for a special treasure hunt around the building. Use the maps and clues to help find some of Redbridge's great historical treasures. Search high and low to discover what's under your nose! This is an event as part of Fabula Festival.

Ask staff in the Library, Museum or Heritage Centre for a trail

Museum and Heritage events

Meet Me at the Museum

Monday 1 October
11.30am-12.30pm
Redbridge Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Join the Heritage Team for a look around the Museum, including the 1930s kitchen. Share your memories of how cooking and housework have changed over the years and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. This event celebrates Older People’s Week.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

A Stroll Around Wanstead for Remnants of the Georgian Era

Thursday 11 October
2pm-3.30pm
George Green, Wanstead

Local Historian Georgina Green will lead this walk around Wanstead looking at what remains of the Georgian era.

Meet by the fountain on George Green at 2pm (opposite Wanstead Station). The walk finishes at Wanstead Library at 3.30pm.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

Heritage Teatime: Claybury Hospital

Friday 12 October
2pm-3pm
Woodford Green Library

Dorothy Pryor will be talking about her time as a nurse at Claybury Hospital at our special themed Heritage teatime. Come along to hear her memories and see memorabilia from the hospital.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

Heritage Teatime: Goodmayes Philatelic Society

Wednesday 17 October
2.30pm-3.30pm
Redbridge Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Goodmayes Philatelic Society, Tony Hoad from the Society will join us for a special Heritage Teatime. Tony will speak about the history of the Society from its earliest days and share his memories. Come along to hear about the history of this fascinating club, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and take a look at the Society's exhibition on the 1st floor of the library.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

Talk on Derek B: The Woodford Rapper

Wednesday 17 October
6.30pm
Hub Central, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Join Jim Ives for a personal look into Derek B's journey from a pirate radio DJ to a successful hip-hop artist, record producer and remixer.

This is a FREE event. To book, click the button below or call 020 8708 2317.

Book now

Foul Deeds and Murders In and Around Chadwell Heath

Friday 2 November
2pm-3pm
Goodmayes Library

Local Historian Linda Rhodes will be talking about the sinister side of the history in and around Chadwell Heath. Find out about the deeds committed by murderers, robbers and highwaymen.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

Starting Your Family History using online resources

Tuesday 6 November
11.30am-12.30pm
South Woodford Library & Gym

Have you ever thought about tracing your family history but don’t know where to start? Come along to this session to find out how to use the online resources available at libraries.

This is a FREE event. Please book in advance by clicking the button below.

Book now

Explore Your Archives

Wednesday 21 November
2pm-4pm
Redbridge Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Redbridge Heritage Centre will be celebrating Explore Your Archives Week. Come along and look at items not usually on display from our vast collection of archives. See maps, photographs, and other information related to leisure pursuits in Redbridge.

Drop-in session, no need to book

Schools

The Museum & Heritage Service delivers a wide range of free education sessions based around the national curriculum. These educational sessions can take place at the Museum or at Valentines Mansion. To find out more about what you and your group can gain from a visit to Redbridge Museum watch this short film.

All sessions include handling a wide range of real artefacts, fun activities and exploring the displays. Groups can use historic archives, maps and photographs to learn about the history of their local area and school.

The Museum can also deliver INSET sessions for teachers, assemblies, and support for school projects.

View our schools programme at Redbridge Museum (PDF 1MB)

View our schools programme at Valentines Mansion & Gardens (PDF 1MB)

or contact us for more information or to book a session.

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