The Museum was established in 1983 by local people concerned by the decline along the banks of the River Wandle in Merton determined to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced for the use and benefit of the community.

Including the tobacco & textile industries, William Morris & Arthur Liberty.

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RAVENSBURY UPDATES

April 2010 - As the battle of Ravensbury seems to be cranking up, the Ravensbury Updates have been brought up to date. You can access it via Latest Newsletter page link above.

SURREY IRON RAILWAY

30 December 2009 - The upload of Peter McGow's detailed history of the Surrey Iron Railway and Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway is now complete, although some tidying may still be needed. In almost 200 pages of typescript, Peter uses his thorough research methods to provide the historical cross references which validate the story of these two early railways. You can access it via the Mills of the Wandle pages link below.

Vestry Hall
Where we are today. This link leads to images of our fixed displays giving an overview of the Wandle's historical importance, and the current temporary display. The Wandle Trail
The Wandle Trail - The original guide first published in 1988 to assist those who wish to explore the River Wandle and its heritage.
Ravensbury Mill
This is the site of our proposed new museum. This link leads to images of its current interior, showing the extent of the work it still needs.

Nelson 2005
The Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar won by Merton's most famous resident is cebrated this year. This page links to a description of Merton Place, by Peter Warwick, and other articles.

Block Printing
Our work includes giving block printing demonstrations to school groups and others. We accept bookings from all groups. This links to our page giving an overview of the process, and care instructions for your sample

Mills of the Wandle
For articles and links on the Mills of the Wandle. We are particularly pleased to be incorporating Peter McGow's Mills of the Wandle through these pages.

The Wandle trail

The River Wandle is sourced from the North Downs above Croydon, surfacing now in Waddon, running west until it meets the secondary source in Carshalton, then via Hackbridge Mitcham, Ravensbury St Helier Morden Wimbledon Colliers Wood, Summerstown and Wandsworth to the Thames passing through the London Boroughs of Croydon Sutton, Merton, and Wandsworth.

The Wandle trail which passes through places whose names evidence the history of the valley - Mitcham Grove, Honeywood, Bishopsford and Wilderness, or the people who have made their mark here Like Everetts, Bennetts, Lamberts, Palmerston Shepley as well as National Trust areas like Morden Hall Park, and Watermeads and the little nature reserves scattered along its length.

Although there is identifiable Roman and Saxon history along the Wandle (a large Roman Villa complex was excavated at Beddington, and Stane Street crossed the Wandle at Colliers Wood, whilst a serious Saxon cemetary has been excavated at Ravensbury) its recorded history divides neatly into the 400 monastic years of Merton priory, and the subsequent 400 industrial years.

Industry

Until Victorian times, the industrial history was founded on the Watermills of the Wandle. Its steep (relative to its length) descent made it powerful and its reliable water supply meant that, at its height, some 60 wheels were being driven, leading to the variously phrased quote of it's being the most industrialised river in the world. Flour, snuff, copper, leather, printing, brewing all benefited.

The coming of the Industrial Revolution, meant many of the mills added steam power, but many waterwheels lasted into the 20th Century. Despite its industry, Nelson called his estate 'Paradise Merton', and William Morris, Liberty and others came here to provide a more civilised industrial background for their factories and workshops. Despite this intensive use of waterpower, Isaac Walton was still able to pen his 'Compleat Angler' based on his angling in Morden Hall Park. At Wandle Mouth, the great coal and coke companies meant that the largest collier fleet outside the North East was based there, whilst the demands of the many mills forced the founding of the Surrey Iron Railway, the worlds first public railway.

Education

Our Museum is committed to ensuring that the secrets of this river's industrial past reach the young people growing up here today, and the emphasis that the National Curriculum places on history of local communities fits well with our objectives.

Many of them start with an awareness of artists like Burne Jones, designers like William Morris, and manufacturers like Liberty, but go on to understand more about the much larger industrial past they represent.

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