Local Studies Library
Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP
Email: localstudies@richmond.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8734 3309
Online resources
- Online catalogue
- Local history notes
- Local history timelines
- A walk down Hill Street
- The Etherington Family
Visiting the library
Check how to make the most of your visit to the Local Studies Library and Archive.
Opening hours
Local Studies is open for drop-ins at the following times:
- Tuesday from 1.30 to 6pm
- Wednesday from 1.30 to 6pm
- Thursday from 1.30 to 6pm
- Friday from 1.30 to 6pm
- Alternate Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 4pm
It is possible to visit on a Tuesday to Friday morning by appointment. If you would like to make a morning appointment, contact Local Studies by:
- Email: localstudies@richmond.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 8734 3309
Wednesday to Friday morning appointments must be made at least one day in advance. Tuesday morning appointments must be made on the preceding Friday at the latest. If your appointment has not been confirmed by staff, it will not be possible for you to visit that morning.
About the collection
The Local Studies Collection provides access to material relating to the history of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It contains the collections previously held by the former boroughs of Barnes, Richmond and Twickenham.
Lockdown diaries
Local Studies is putting out a call for diaries written by residents in this unusual time.
Online catalogue
With our new online catalogue you can search thousands of records from the archives of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, covering Barnes, East Sheen, Ham, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Kew, Mortlake, Petersham, Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham and Whitton.
Cataloguing work is ongoing, and we are regularly updating the database. If you cannot find what you are looking for you can contact us.
The catalogue includes a large collection of building plans which have been catalogued and scanned with funding provided by HLF.
Online resources
The Local Studies team publishes some of its local history notes about people and places in the borough online. There is also a set of illustrated timelines.
Amongst our online reference services, Richmond Libraries also has a subscription to Ancestry Library Edition, the leading family history website. Please note that this can only be used on library premises.
Film collections
Most of the borough's moving image collections are looked after by London's Screen Archives, and many of the films can be watched online. Search and view the film collections.
Education resources
From our Local Studies Collection, take a walk down Hill Street, a study of Victorian Richmond upon Thames.
Genealogy and family history
Many people are interested in their family history. There are several places where you can find out information, and there are many useful links to external websites.
Miles Better health walks
Put your best foot forward and learn more about the history of Richmond upon Thames with our fascinating health walks.
Up to: Our libraries
Updated: 05 December 2022
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