Project Improves Access To Historic House

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William Morris windows go on display in Wimbledon

William Morris House – a community meeting place in Wimbledon more than than 90 years – is being made fully accessible for people with disabilities.

The installation of a lift access to the upper ground floor of the building at 267 The Broadway is part of an ambitious £150,000 scheme will also enable two William Morris windows to go on display. 

These windows, designed by the renowned Victorian artist Edward Burne Jones at the William Morris Works in Merton Abbey Mills, were donated by a local suffragette from Wimbledon who had been given them by William Morris himself. 

Pictures of the two windows are on the right, as well as on the William Morris House website.

Councillor Peter Walker, Chair of William Morris House, said: "This project will mean that the formidable Victorian steps into the house will no longer be a barrier to disabled people. It means our excellent facilities will be available to a large number of organisations who previously were not able to use our meeting rooms.”

"I am particularly pleased that the conversion will also allow us to display our two William Morris windows that were produced in South Wimbledon at the Morris works at Merton Abbey Mills. 

"We also intend to theme our redecorated and expanded kitchen in the style of Morris and re hang the recently discovered photograph given to us by Morris’s collaborator in the Arts and Craft movement, Sir Emery Walker.

"Our aim with this conversion is to make the house more accessible and also remind the people of the rich tradition that Morris and the Arts and Craft movement bestowed on Wimbledon".

March 20, 2014