Merton Memories team to launch new site
Thousands of historic photographs, including images of past and present Wimbledon, will soon be available online, thanks to the Merton Memories project.
The Merton Memories team will be launching their new website at a discovery day at Morden Library from 2pm-4pm on March 22, giving the public the opportunity to view 15,000 images covering over a century of local history.
At the discovery day, heritage representatives will be available to answer local history enquiries and identify photographs and there will be short talks on different aspects of Merton’s past.
Residents can learn how to improve their digital photography skills and how to preserve their old family photos, there will also be a range of children’s craft activities taking place, plus photographic displays and stalls from a range of Merton museums and community groups.
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Merton Memories project tells the story of one hundred years of Merton's history using the medium of photography.
Twenty six volunteers aged from 15 to 70 spent a year helping to scan and catalogue 15,000 photographs belonging to Merton Library and Heritage Service for the project.
There has also been support from heritage groups including Merton Historical Society, the Museum of Wimbledon, Wandle Industrial Museum, Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage and Mitcham Camera Club.
A second discovery day with even more events will be taking place at Morden Library on April 26.
- Merton's heritage and local studies team is also encouraging anyone with an idea for a project about their community’s heritage to get in touch with the Heritage Lottery Fund to turn the idea into a reality.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the funding can get in touch with the team to attend a Heritage Lottery Fund information seminar by emailing joahanne.flaherty@merton.gov.uk or calling 020 8545 4083 to register your interest.
Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: "Merton has a magnificent past, as well as a great present and future, and I think we should take every opportunity to celebrate it. If you have a good idea about how you can revive a part of your local history and heritage, don’t hold back – get in touch with the Heritage Lottery Fund."
March 1, 2014
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