Hackney Town Hall opens doors to the vaults with new public tours

Opening the vaults: Hackney Town Hall    Pic: Tarquin Binary

To celebrate London History Day on May 31 the vaults of Hackney Town Hall will be opened to the public for the first time since 1937, as part of the Town Hall tours. 

The Grade II listed building will hold free tours which take place twice a month. The tour includes three rooms which contain memorabilia and other items celebrating Hackney’s local politics.  

Display of campaign posters in the Democracy Vault       Pic: Begum Whitehead

The exhibition tour is designed to be used by members of the public but also by schools, with the aim that pupils will be able to learn more about voting in local elections and other ways in which their voices can be heard, such as campaigning or signing petitions. 

In the Civic Vault visitors can see displays of mayoral robes and maces      Pic: Begum Whitehead

Items on display include the regalia worn by the mayors of Shoreditch and Stoke Newington, chains of office and maces from the early 20th century and a central vacuum cleaning system, which is built into the walls. 

Apparatus used in decades gone by on display in the Building Vault: Pic: Begum Whitehead

Mayor Phillip Glanville said: “It is important that the citizens of Hackney have a sense of civic ownership and can explore their town hall, the heart of civic life in the borough, to find out more about its history and what actually happens in its four walls.” 

This offers a great historical experience for the whole family. Hackney Town Hall was designed by Lanchester and Lodge and was completed in 1937 . The building has been recently restored in Art Deco style by designers Hawkins Brown and now hosts many public events including weddings and conferences. 

 

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