Exhibitions
Exhibitions at Bruce Castle Museum
Animatograph! How cinema was born in Haringey
From 5 April to 28 July 2019
Films - or ‘animated photography’ as they were originally called - first hit the screen in 1896. It was a young electrical engineer born in Holloway 150 years ago, Robert Paul, who led the way. Paul unveiled his own Animatograph projector on the same day in London as the famous Lumière cinématographe, and went on to achieve star billing in half a dozen London music halls that year.
He knew these first short films weren’t enough to hold public attention. In 1898, he and his wife Ellen bought land in Muswell Hill to build Britain’s first film studio. The films they made over the next years laid the basis of nearly everything we know in cinema – comedies, chases, dramas, and magical ‘trick films’.
This exhibition tells the story of how Robert and Ellen Paul really created cinema here in Haringey. The first American and French filmmakers took a lot of their ideas from the Pauls’ pioneering work, successfully exported all over the world for the next ten years.
Robert Paul was also a pioneer in electrical science, with many key inventions to his name. He continued this work after retiring from cinema – even inventing a portable iron lung in 1936 to help sufferers from diptheria and polio.
This hands-on and interactive exhibition is curated by Ian Christie, Film and Media History Professor, Birkbeck College, University of London, and has an associated programme of talks, events and activities at the museum.
Kindly supported by Tottenham Grammar School Foundation, and Birkbeck, University of London
A graphic novel accompanies the exhibition: 'Time Traveller; Robert Paul and the Invention of Cinema', published by the Nerve Centre, Derry-Londonderry, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
Location: Coleraine Gallery.
Black Georgian Londoners: Portraits, People and Perceptions
- Extended to 30 June 2019 by popular demand
Discover more about Georgian Black Londoners in this exhibition which reveals recent research about James Townsend, the Lord of the Manor at Bruce Castle during the 18th century and his black heritage and connections, alongside a collection of rare and exquisite portraits of Black Georgians - some of whom were known to the household of Bruce Castle at the time.
Kindly supported by the Fellowship of St John.
Location: East Wing Gallery.
Inspiring Women of Haringey: A Suffragette in the Family
Until June 2019
2018 was the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act. This allowed some women – those owning property and over the age of 30 – the right to vote for the first time. At the general election on 14 December 1918, 8.5 million women and 5.6 million men were enfranchised. It took another 10 years until the age qualification was abolished, putting men and women on a more equal footing.
The women’s suffrage movement reached every part of the country and cut across all classes. Some of the stories about individual suffragettes and their struggle for the vote are well known to us. Other stories lay untold, forgotten or hidden.
This fascinating exhibition presents the wonderful stories and research about local women who campaigned for the vote more than 100 years ago. These stories, artefacts and photographs have been kindly shared with Collective Exchange and Bruce Castle Museum & Haringey Archive by relatives proud of these pioneering women in their families. The exhibition tells us more about the lives of these women - such as the Spongs of Muswell Hill - who made their voices heard in their fierce struggle to get the right to vote.
Location: Old Kitchen.
Wall of Women: Inspirational Women of Haringey
- Until June 2019
A wall of portraits and stories of inspiring women of Haringey, past and present. From 18th century philanthropist and author Priscilla Wakefield, through 20th century local politicians Dr Edith Summerskill and Joyce Butler, who was instrumental in introducing laws for gender equality, to Stella Dadzie, an educationalist, writer and historian, and Professor Lola Young (Baroness Young of Hornsey), former cultural advisor to the GLA - find out more about local women who have made a difference to our communities.
The images come from the collections at Bruce Castle Museum and Haringey Archive. Our exhibition includes space for your own suggestions – who would you like to see represented?
Location: Old Kitchen.
Art in the Tower
A changing display of multi-media artwork by resident art class Art2View in the Tudor Tower at Bruce Castle.
Open on special event days.
- Next event - tbc
Works by the artists are for sale, and all proceeds kindly help the Friends of Bruce Castle and the Museum to support the free Family Art and Craft Activities Programme.
Location: Tudor Tower.
