The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall in Richmond is home to several specialist information and leisure services.
History
The Old Town Hall was built in the 1890s on land donated by Sir John Whittaker Ellis, a former Lord Mayor of London and the first mayor for the new borough of Richmond, for use by Richmond Council. Whittaker Avenue is named after him. It was opened in 1893 by the Duke of York.
After the formation of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in the early 1960s, a new Civic Centre was built in Twickenham, and the Old Town Hall was used for a time by the Social Services Department.
It was refurbished in the 1980s for use by the Library Service and now houses the major information services for the borough - the Reference Library, the Local Studies Collection and Richmond Information Centre, plus the Museum of Richmond and the Riverside Gallery. A local history note and an illustrated timeline on the Old Town Hall provide more information on its history.
The Library Room
The Library Room was the Victorian Council Chamber and still has the original oak panelling and chandeliers, with a balcony overlooking the Thames. It is now the main study area of the Reference Library.
The Library Room is available for hire. More information including a photograph.
Local History Collection
The Local Studies Collection is housed on the top floor of the building. Until summer 2000, it was split between Twickenham Library and Richmond, but an extension into the attic space at the Old Town Hall enabled the consolidation of the collection on one site, with increased opening hours. More information on the Local Studies Collection.
Museum of Richmond
The Museum of Richmond is housed on the second floor. The Museum is an independent museum and registered charity. It was created by local residents and is supported by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It covers the history of Richmond Town from the earliest times. Admission is free. The Museum holds special events throughout the year for children and visitors. Museum of Richmond website.
Reference Library
The Reference Library is on the first floor and provides a reference and information service for the whole borough, with a wide range of reference books and material and free internet, email and word processing facilities. More information on the Reference and Information Service.
Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ave, Richmond, TW9 1TP
Telephone: 020 8940 5529
Richmond Information Centre
Richmond Information Centre is on the ground floor of the building and provides Council and community information as well as being an accredited Tourist Information Centre. Visit Richmond tourist information website.
Riverside Gallery
The Riverside Gallery is run by the Orleans House Gallery and is on the ground floor of the building. There is a year round programme of exhibitions including paintings, prints and photographs. Local artists are featured and work is usually for sale.
Access and parking
The main entrance to the Old Town Hall is from Whittaker Avenue, up a flight of stone steps. The building has disabled access off Whittaker Avenue, next to the entrance to the Information Centre. A 'scissor-lift' provides access to the 2 levels of the ground floor. The first level gives access to the Information Centre, the second gives access to the Riverside Gallery and the main entrance foyer. The foyer houses a lift which provides access to the first and second floors. The Local Studies Collection does not have disabled access, but material can be brought down to the Reference Library for study.
The Old Town Hall does not have any parking space of its own, but there is limited on-street meter parking available in Whittaker Avenue.