On until 30 November 2021

Discover the fascinating story of the King’s Observatory, a hub for scientific research in Richmond for over 200 years. Explore the legacy of this amazing building and learn about the impact it had on the science we use today, from astronomy to timekeeping to predicting the weather!

Extended version available online! Click here to explore!

To view the opening of the exhibition and discussion between Professor Burton and the Museum Chair, Hilda Clarke, click here

Want to see inside this fascinating building? Very excitingly, The King’s Observatory will be open to the public for a limited period, Mondays to Fridays, from 27 September to 18 November 2021. To book your tickets, please visit their website: https://www.visit.kingsobservatory.co.uk/

16 November 2021

Doors open at 7:15pm, talk starts at 7:30pm

An expert on the paint and colours of the past four centuries, Patrick Baty works with homeowners, estates, museums, public bodies and institutions, to reinstate interiors of the past, or to create a scheme sympathetic with the aims of a space and its current and future use.

In this talk highlighting his book, Nature’s Palette, Baty shares how his work helped to develop this technicolour trove building on Patrick Syme’s edition of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours which attempted to establish a universal colour reference system to help identify, classify and represent species from the natural world for the first time back in 1841.

Please note:

• This talk will be held at RHACC (Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College), Parkshot, Richmond, TW9 2RE, not the Museum

• Advanced booking is recommended as we can not guarantee that tickets will be available on the door

Part of the Richmond Literature Festival – click here to discover more amazing events around the Borough

Dates throughout the Autumn

Have the Lockdowns inspired you to try a new craft, but you are not sure where to start?

Do online videos lack the personal touch for you?

Then join the team at the Museum of Richmond and Works of Love for some FREE crafting workshops for adults at the Museum!

Each month we will be exploring the story behind a beautifully crafted object in the Museum’s collection, then the friendly and experienced Works of Love Team will show you how to start your own projects, including embroidery and patchwork.

You will even be given a FREE goody bag of materials to help you continue crafting at home, as well as tea, coffee and snacks during a chance to chat with like minded crafters.

Workshops are held at the Museum, between 1pm to 3pm on the following dates:

Wednesday 8 and Saturday 11 September 2021: we will be looking at an exquisite Georgian embroidered waistcoat  and having a go at creating our own embroidery designs.

Wednesday 6 and Saturday 9 October 2021: we will be looking at a fantastic WWII era Patchwork dress and having a go at creating our own English Paper Piecing Patchwork designs.

Wednesday 3 and Saturday 6 November 2021: using a 200 year old sampler from the Museum’s collection as inspiration, we will create our own samplers on aida fabric.

Wednesday 1 and Saturday 4 December 2021: In 2020 the residents of Richmond recorded their experiences of Lockdown by creating a Quilt. In this workshop we will begin work on our own Quilt Squares, looking at the skills of embroidery and applique

As of 13 October, these workshops are FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to join the waiting list, please email learning@museumofrichmond.com 

Please check here to see if any tickets have been returned

Generously supported by Richmond Parish Lands Charity

October 2021

Join the Museum Team at 2pm each Wednesday and Saturday in October, and explore some of the stories behind objects related to the King’s Observatory both in the exhibition and in the Museum’s displays.

FREE  – just head to the Museum’s reception at 2pm!

Please note – the tours on the 6, 9 and 13 October will be at the slightly earlier time of 12noon

(These tours were previously planned for July 2021 but had to be delayed due to the delay in relaxing restrictions)

From 15 December 2020

In March 2020, we experienced the first national lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19. In response to the complex challenges and emotions raised during this time, the residents of London Borough of Richmond upon Thames created squares for a unique memorial quilt, which will be on display at the Museum of Richmond from Tuesday 15 December.

Due to the Museum’s closure, we have created a virtual display of the quilt that you can access here.

Why not take a look (or listen!) at the online resources that the Museum of Richmond has to offer!

• Discover local places and objects from our collections with our audio tours
• Listen to a fascinating talk by Rose Barling on Betty Nuthall, Richmond’s tennis star!
• Experience a virtual version of our temporary exhibition ‘Queen’s Road: 500 Years of History‘
• Try a new craft by following along with our how-to videos on our YouTube channel
• Download our Family Activity packs with all sorts of fun things to try!
• Search our online catalogue and find your new favourite object!

Many of our resources are available for free, however if you would like to make a donation to the Museum of Richmond you can do so by clicking below:

Please help us to record how the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected the lives of those who live in, work and visit the Borough of Richmond.

We are creating a digital collection of objects, images and memories that people have of what life has been like since the first Lockdown in March 2020, so that these memories, experiences and images are preserved for future generations.

Click here to complete the short online questionnaire and upload any images you would like to share.

Click here for the children’s activity sheet, which you can download and return to the Museum