Yesterday is Now History at 310 NX Road Gallery, New Cross. Pic: Eleanor Davies

An exhibition to celebrate Lewisham’s history will open in New Cross today, exploring cultural changes over time by celebrating objects from people’s lives – from shopping bags to takeaway pizza menus.

The Yesterday is Now History show is curated by two Goldsmiths university’s graduates, artist Eleanor Davies and anthropologist/historian Sophie Parker, and traces the history of the area through objects from the Local History Society’s collection.

Some of the objects on display at Yesterday is Now History Pic: Eleanor Davies

The curators said: “We wanted to show a history of Lewisham and the Lewisham Local History Society, to draw attention to the need for a local history museum in the borough. Lewisham has such an incredible history, with a strong community spirit – we believe this history needs to be on show permanently.”

Marking all the significant moments for the local community, the exhibition includes references from the days of the foreign cattle market (a market for foreign meat closed in 1913), to anti far-right clashes of the 1977 battle of Lewisham, until the current protests to save Lewisham’s hospital.

The curators hope residents will enjoy their unusual tribute to local culture, they said: “The exhibition brings together the rich stories of key members of the community – the anecdotes and stories of activism – and we can’t wait to share these with visitors to the exhibition.”

The project is supported through the Santander graduate training scheme to help young professionals in the early steps of their career, in partnership with Goldsmiths university’s  Department of Visual Cultures and the Enterprise Fund.

Yesterday is Now History
June 18 -23, 10-4pm
Private View: Wednesday, June 18, 6-8pm

310 NX Road Gallery, New Cross, SE14 6AF