External Links

Useful links to other websites relating to Lewisham History:

This List was last updated in 2020 and will be brought up to date soon.

Archives

Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre - Archives for the London Borough of Lewisham. First stop for those interested in Lewisham local or family history. Location:
199-201 Lewisham Library, Lewisham High Street
London SE13 6LG
Tel: 020 8314 8501
Email: local.studies@lewisham.gov.uk

London Metropolitan Archives - A central repository for historical London records. A number of Lewisham interest records are held here. Note: You MUST click on "START NEW SEARCH SESSION" to enter.

A2A (Access to Archives) - A searchable database containing catalogues describing archives held locally in England and Wales dating from the eighth century to the present day.

Online Projects

Lewisham Voices - Museum of London project giving an insight into some of the memories and experiences of people who live, work or are involved in the community in Lewisham.

Lewisham Pensioners Forum - Funded by the London Borough Lewisham to act as a voice for older people in the Borough.

The Cinema Museum - London’s Cinema Museum is devoted to keeping alive the spirit of cinema. Housed in an old Workhouse in Kennington, the Cinema Museum possesses a unique collection of artefacts, memorabilia and equipment that preserves the history and grandeur of cinema from the 1890s to the present day. Visits by arrangement.

Horniman Museum and Gardens
The Horniman Museum houses a massive Natural History collection of stuffed animals, including a Raphus cucullatus (Dodo). Among the collection of historic objects are tools, cooking utensils, clothes, weapons - everything to explain the civilised world. Cameras are permitted. Parking is difficult, but the Museum is a mere 600 yards from Forest Hill rail station.

Ideal Homes: Suburbia in Focus - Old photos, maps, and documents from the local history collections of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark.

Garden History

South London Botanical Institute (SLBI).
The SLBI, near Tulse Hill station, was founded by Allan Octavian Hume in 1910 to interest local people in plants and fungi. Anyone can become a member, use the Library, and go on Walks and other outings organised by the Institute.

The Garden Museum.
The Garden was created in 1980. At its heart is a knot garden designed by the Museum’s President, The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury. The garden contains the tomb of the great plant-hunters and collectors, John Tradescant the Elder (c.1570-1638) and Younger (1608-1662), which inspired the creation of a Museum of Garden History in the derelict church of St Mary-at-Lambeth.
The Museum organises exhibitions, activities for children, events at other Museums and Gardens, and even private “Curators tours” in the evening. The Museum has a large collection of historical artefacts. Entry is not free.

Chelsea Physic Garden.
Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is a celebration of the beauty and importance of plants. This walled Garden was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. The Garden has featured in a TV series on BBC2. There are many activities all year round, including pre-Christmas shopping and carol-singing. The Historical Walk, laid out along the western side of the garden, has been planted to show the work of some of the best known people associated with the Chelsea Physic Garden’s history, through plants introduced or first named by them.
See the Website for a full list of activities. Entry is not free.

History of Gardens and Landscapes.
The Institute of Historical Research (IHR), Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU.
The IHR regularly runs a series of weekly Seminars on the general topic of “History of Gardens and Landscapes”. These normally take place on Thursday at 6pm, and are FREE and open to all. Venue: University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU. See website for programme and the exact location within Senate House:

Enquiries: see Website above, OR email: gardenhistory@sas.ac.uk

Other Societies

Bromley Borough Local History Society

Beckenham Historical Association

East of London Family History Society

East Surrey Family History Society - Covers the London Borough of Southwark.

Greenwich Industrial History Society

Greenwich Heritage Centre

Local History Societies (London)

North West Kent Family History Society - Covers South East London (including Lewisham).

Orpington and District Archaeological Society

Rotherhithe & Bermondsey Local History Group

Locating London's Past

London & Middlesex Genealogy: Societies