Ros Doré, councillor and cabinet commissioner for culture at Waltham Forest Council said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Studio Weave on the revitalisation of Vestry House Museum.
The 1,800m² revitalisation – due to complete in 2026 and supported by the council’s Levelling Up Fund programme – will upgrade the building’s heritage and community offer, improve access and energy efficiency, and deliver new creative workspaces and a café.
Walthamstow’s Vestry House Museum tells the story of Waltham Forest through its collection of more than 100,000 historical objects and themed displays. Highlights include the Bremer Car, a Victorian parlour, toy collections, a photo archive and a volunteer-run garden.
Working in consultation with local residents, the project will transform the local history museum into a new heritage destination focusing on the diverse stories of Waltham Forest and its people.
Studio Weave director Eddie Blake said: ‘Waltham Forest is investing in the arts at a time when elsewhere funding is limited and culture is struggling. This is both essential and a great thing to be involved in.
The archives and local studies library will move to a larger and more accessible space in nearby Walthamstow Library in early 2024 and the Vestry House Museum site will close in readiness for the project early next month.