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?

Eat It! A fun family exhibition about food

Tuesday 23 July to Saturday 31 August 2019

This summer at Redbridge Museum discover the wonderful world of food!

Have fun down on the Victorian farm, sail your crops to market on the river Roding, eat like an Ice Age mammoth, survive wartime rationing and explore food from around the world.

Through interactive displays, puzzles and games, discover the past, present and future of food in Redbridge.

View the Eat It flyer (PDF 1MB)

Redbridge Eats Out

Tuesday 23 July to Saturday 28 December 2019

This small display celebrates Redbridge's food - from tea parties to takeaways.

Featuring historic photographs, objects and personal stories from the local area, this display will set your stomach rumbling!

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 has 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

Events

Heritage events

The Assembly at Wanstead House

Wednesday 17 July 2019
2pm to 3pm
Wanstead Library

Jef Page, President of Ilford Historical Society will be talking about William Hogarth's painting The Assembly at Wanstead House. In 1728, Sir Richard Child - Lord Castlemaine - and his wife Dorothy invited their family and friends around for a china tea and card party at their grand palace, Wanstead House, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Child, one of the richest men in England, wanted to record the scene so he employed rising young artist William Hogarth to portray the event. Come along and find out about this fascinating painting.

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

Book now

Starting your family history

Monday 12 August 2019
6.15pm to 7.15pm
Hainault Library

Do you want to start to trace your family history but don’t know where to begin? Come along to this session to find out how to go about it.

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

Book now

Heritage Teatime: Eating out in Redbridge

Friday 16 August 2019
2pm to 3pm
Redbridge Heritage Centre, 2nd floor, Redbridge Central Library

Do you remember Lyons Tea Rooms, Carwadines Coffee House or Nan’s Pantry? If you do, come along and share your memories of eating out in Redbridge. Look at photographs and other memorabilia, find out how eating out has changed over the years and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

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

Book now

Heritage Teatime: Food glorious food

Thursday 22 August 2019
2.30pm to 3.30pm
Woodford Green Library

Come along to our reminiscence session and share your food memories. Do you remember food rationing, spam fritters or your first curry? Do you remember when you first visited self-service supermarkets? If you do, come along - look at food advertisements, photographs and other memorabilia and enjoy a cuppa.

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

Book now

Heritage Walk: Valentines Estate

Wednesday 28 August 2019
2pm to 3.30pm
Start at Valentines Mansion

Come and explore the delights of Valentines Park and the surrounding area in this walk led by Jef Page of Ilford Historical Society. Find out about the Valentines Estate, when the houses were built and why the roads were so called.

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

Book now

Children's events

Fantastic Feast

Tuesday 30 July 2019
10.30am to midday
Gloucester Room, 1st floor, Redbridge Central Library

Learn what Romans ate in their Wanstead villa and create a picture of your own delicious feast! For 5 to 12 yrs. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.