Photographs of Ealing – some of which were taken more than 100 years ago – have been preserved in a public online archive.
The gallery features a range of images depicting everyday life in Walpole Park and Pitzhanger Manor, with some dating back to 1895. The online archive is part of a wider project to map out the history of the manor house, owned by architect Sir John Soane, and the surrounding park.
Other parts of the project show a collection of postcards, plans and records of the original house and grounds, oral histories captured in manuscripts, and documents found at the Sir John Soane Museum in London.
In 2012 Ealing Council joined forces with Accession Social Enterprise – a social enterprise group for people with learning difficulties and mental health issues – to help digitise the historical materials so that they could be preserved for the public to view for decades or centuries to come.
Five volunteers took part on the archiving project, scanning in and storing 2,700 documents, materials and documentation.
Following the completion of the project the group chose their 100 favourite images which are now displayed in the online gallery.
Council leader Julian Bell said: “This is the first time that images of Walpole Park and Pitzhanger Manor’s history have been available online for everyone to see. The precious collection gives people extraordinary insight into the past of the manor house and grounds, and is a real treat for local people and history-buffs alike.”
The preservation work is part of a wider restoration work aimed at turning the Grade I listed building and grounds into a top heritage location, and restore and enhance the buildings and grounds.
The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Go here to view the full archive .
