We are delighted to announce that the Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability will be opening to the public from Saturday 28 January 2012, from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
The opening times thereafter for the Winter and Spring will be:
Mondays: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Saturdays: 9.30am to 1.30pm
The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability is located in the Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, TW11 9PS.
The museum is situated in the former home of Dr John Langdon Down and his family who brought a revolutionary and enlightened approach to the care of those with all forms of learning disability from 1868 until 1970. The building was an NHS hospital from 1951 until 1997.
The museum tells the story of Normansfield and includes objects from the Royal Earlswood Asylum. On display are artifacts made by James Henry Pullen (1835–1916), a savant known as the Genius of Earlswood Asylum. This includes his ships, a model of Brunel’s Great Eastern, paintings and other objects.
The Grade 2* theatre is a rare example of a private Victorian theatre containing original painted scenery and other ornate fixtures and fittings.
The museum encourages the donation of Normansfield memorabilia and will be starting an oral history project within the next 12 months. A library specialising in learning disability is being created. It will contribute to the public understanding of learning disability through events and educational activities.
An Information and Refreshments room will be open during visiting times.
For all enquiries contact:
The Archivist, Ian Jones-Healey, on 0208 614 5100 or at [email protected]