Greenwich borough archive and museum petition given response by council

Greenwich Council have offered a response after a petition was signed by 2,110 requesting improved access to the borough’s archives.

The response may underwhelm, as it states the council will help the Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust “provide a reading room facility to residents, with access to the archives on four consecutive days each month from Spring 2024”.

The borough’s museum and archive was formerly housed in the Royal Arsenal with regular access until evicted to make way for Woolwich Works which ran £12 million over the publicly stated budget.

Former Heritage Centre on right taken in 2018 when evicted

It has since struggled and needed bailouts and loans while parts of the building was deemed unfit for purpose.

Since then access has been greatly restricted with councillors asking about the situation for some years. See coverage of a Scrutiny Panel meeting back in 2021 here which also raised those cost overruns which were later confirmed.

Since then items from the museum and archive are kept in a Charlton industrial unit with no routine access for the public. Applications for access must be made.

Plumstead library formerly housed borough museum

In 2023 a petition was started by former Greenwich councillor and historian Mary Mills. The council’s reply stated 1,660 had signed by December with a further 500 since.

The authority also state that “We will meet again with the Historical Society and the Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust in six months to review the arrangement.”

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J Smith

I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

2 thoughts on “Greenwich borough archive and museum petition given response by council

  • ‘… items from the museum and archive are kept in a Charlton industrial unit with no routine access for the public.’ This says everything about the cultural vandalism.

    Reply
  • What a disgrace, a borough with a rich history that nobody has access to. I worked on the millennium embroideries which were promised a permanent display. Now they’re shoved in some storage unit, without proper care, and are more than likely getting damaged or damp. Such a waste.

    Reply

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