Events

Monday 28 November is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Luke Howard ‘Namer of Clouds’. He is commemorated with the only English Heritage Blue Plaque in Tottenham, at 7 Bruce Grove, where he spent his final years.

His system of identifying and classifying clouds, naming them using Latin, (cumulus, stratus, cirrus, nimbus), is used across the globe. For over 30 years Luke Howard made and recorded accurate meteorological observations. The data from his weather measurements is used by urban climate scientists today.

To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, we will hear the story of sculptor and Holocaust survivor Naomi Blake - a Muswell Hill resident and graduate of the Hornsey School of Art. 

Born in Mukacevo, Czechoslovakia, Naomi Blake arrived in London in 1952. She survived Auschwitz, sabotaged bombs in Brahnau slave labour camp, escaped the notorious death marches and contributed to the creation of the State of Israel. Despite her survival, she always carried the memory of the 18 family members including 10 children that were murdered.  

From stories and collections from Bruce Castle Museum and Archive, Curator Deborah Hedgecock explores local Jewish heritage recorded and seen through the eyes of artists, photographers, makers and designers living and working in Haringey. Including well-known names such as Bertold Lubetkin, Roman Halter, Gestetner and Harris Lebus, this beautifully-illustrated talk also shares the work of overlooked artists, hidden stories and moving testimonies from over the past 400 years - all greatly enriching or shaping British culture. 

By Angela Mascolo, Public Historian

For LGBT+ History Month, Bruce Castle Museum's Young Curator’s Pick features Angela Mascolo as we discover more about her work behind the lens recording voices and hidden histories. Her illustrated talk will showcase the importance of oral history in preserving marginalised histories, as well as her journey implementing it in her own work and her most recent LGBTQ+ heritage project.

Angela Mascolo is a MA Public History graduate from Royal Holloway, University of London, currently working in the museum sector.

Join curator Deborah Hedgecock in the galleries as she shows the exquisite artwork by Henrietta Townsend of Bruce Castle and shares stories of Henrietta's struggles in 18th century society to become Lady of the Manor.

All welcome. Please book your free place via Eventbrite.

For any queries, please contact museum.services@haringey.gov.uk

Special Historical Visit & Ray Swain Memorial Talk.

With John Laverick, Lay Minister of All Hallows.

The GI Bride-In-A-Box: A Tottenham Woman's Story Of Hope, Protest and Adventure in WW2

By Oona Kelly, Local Historian and Friend of Bruce Castle.

Drawing from the collections of Bruce Castle Museum & Archive and Historic England, Curator Deborah Hedgecock chooses images by George and Cecil Shadbolt and looks at their extraordinary legacy of early photography in the UK.

Please book your free ticket for this in-person event at the Museum via Eventbrite.

For queries, please email museum.services@haringey.gov.uk

We're thrilled to present the opening of the Windrush 75 'The Grip' Exhibition. This in-person event will be a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the Windrush generation.

Focusing on ‘the grip’ – a traveller’s suitcase – this special community-led exhibition marks Windrush 75, with photographs, written word, a short film and artwork from local members of the Windrush Generation and friends.

BHM 2023 is when we are Celebrating Our Sisters! Join us at Bruce Castle to celebrate our local sister in Haringey – Judith Jacob, British actor known for her roles on television in dramas and soaps, Angels and Eastenders, but also for the hit sitcom No Problem!

This year it is 40 years since No Problem! was first aired in 1983 on Channel 4, created by the Black Theatre Co-operative. Come and hear Judith's very own stories and how she has contributed to making British onscreen history, in conversation with Lady Esi.

Doors open at 7pm.

From ghostly apparitions and esoteric orders, to witchcraft, healing and lucky charms, Tottenham has a centuries old history linked to the supernatural.

Fascinating glimpses into these more mysterious stories and superstitions can be found throughout the museum’s galleries, often in places you might not expect.

In the build up to All Hallows’ Eve, come along and hear young curator Annabel Gee as she takes you on a tour through the spookier side of Bruce Castle…

Join Curator Deborah Hedgecock and discover more about a new and most welcome acquisition, a beautiful oil painting, to the collections at Bruce Castle Museum & Archive.

Take in the painting's exquisite details as the artist captures the last rays of the setting sun over Manor Farm, North Road in Highgate in 1895. And can you help us find out more about the artist - H. Cole?

Join us at Bruce Castle for an afternoon of activities celebrating all things trees.

The day will include tree talks by:

• Russell Miller, Arboricultural Consultant 
• Gio Iozzi and Jo Syz, founders of Haringey Tree Protectors

There will also be group discussions on trees and biodiversity for the Tottenham Urban Climate Walk. Plus, a special tree themed quiz! And do bring your favourite tree poems to share.

Photographs and Stories of Holocaust Survivors from Haringey.

With Dr Jan Marsh, Curator, Writer, Researcher

Free event, all welcome

Free, booking recommended.

This month’s Curator’s Pick for LGBT+ History Month is with special guest and award-winning figurative artist Sadie Lee, as she takes a look back at one of her early paintings in oils - ‘An Eligible Spinster’.

Known for her challenging paintings that focus on a range of subjects, including the representation of women in art, sexuality, gender and the ageing body, Sadie will be guiding us through the symbolism and meanings of this self-portrait.

Free, all welcome. Booking required.

Following on from the success of the ‘GRIP’ exhibition, come and join the conversation with Code 1 Community and explore the history and cultural legacy of the Windrush ‘Barrel Babies’.

Special guests Livingston Gilchrist and his mother Daphne Gilchrist share their story.

7.00pm-7.30pm: Refreshments / Music

7.30pm-9.00pm: Talk and discussion with spoken word

Free, no booking required.

Led by Sarah Drummond, writer and director of forthcoming film ‘Don’t Say Gay’.

Section 28, the legislation implemented in 1988 which banned local authorities from ‘the promotion of homosexuality’ impacted a whole generation of LGBTQIA+ people from the 1980s to the present day. Haringey led the way as the centre of protests against the government and the Act, from the local activists to the Council’s Lesbian and Gay Unit.

Free, all welcome. Booking recommended. 

Join sculptor Al Johnson as she discusses the inspiration for and making of ‘Land of Laundries’, which will be on display in Bruce Castle Museum’s Compton Gallery for Women’s History Month.

Two Atkinson descendants - Ron Atkinson and Andy Thomas - will talk about these two immensely talented men who lived and worked in Church Road, Tottenham, at the turn of the 20th Century.

Ron will provide further fascinating insights into the life and work of the world-renowned luthier, William Senior, while Andy will look, in detail, at William Junior's young life and his immense contribution to local history through the medium of his many magnificent images of Edwardian Tottenham.

Doors open at 12pm for a 12.15pm start.