Unsung: remembering Edward Rushton
Unsung is a play telling the story of Edward Rushton, founder of the Royal School for the Indignant Blind. It aims to make the story of this forgotten hero, who also opposed slavery, better known.
Tuke of Chiswick
Between 1892 and 1928, Chiswick House was a private asylum, run by the Tuke family, who rented the house from the Duke of Devonshire. Francesca visits to find out more.
To the Royal School for the Deaf in Margate
At the Royal School for the Deaf in Margate. Students used to secretly climb the tower of the School’s original Gothic building, until one night, tragedy struck.
Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability
Normansfield Hospital was founded by John Langdon Down in 1868 as a home for people with learning disabilities and a place where they could be educated. ‘Downs Syndrome’ is named after him. The site includes a Victorian theatre with its original fittings, which Down commissioned so that his patients could learn music and drama. His… Read more »
The Royal School for Deaf Children
The Royal School for Deaf Children was founded in 1792, the first public institution to provide a free education for this group. It opened a branch in Margate in 1876 and moved entirely from London to Margate in 1905, so pupils could benefit from the sea air. Sadly, the school went into administration in late… Read more »
Guild of the Brave Poor Things
The Guild of the Brave Poor Things opened a branch in 1894 in Bristol as a social club for people with disabilities. Guild members received a bright red membership card emblazoned with the logo – a crutch crossed with a sword – and the motto “Laetus Sorte Mea”, which translated from Latin as “happy in… Read more »
To Langdon Down Centre and Museum of Learning Disability
A visit to Langdon Down Centre and Museum of Learning Disability, where Francesca discovers a giant carnival figure created by one of the residents, James Henry Pullen.
Chiswick/St Saviour’s Deaf Church, Acton
At the City of London Metropolitan Archive, where Maureen Roberts explains how we can research the history of Chiswick House and Gardens and St Saviour’s Deaf Church, Acton using the archive’s records.
Royal School for Deaf Children, Margate
Francesca looks at a minute book which describes the founding of the Royal School for Deaf Children in the 1790’s.
The ‘Skeleton 19’ Mystery
A visit to the English Heritage archaeological store at Dover Castle, where curator Jo Gray shows Francesca Skeleton 19, which gives evidence linking the site to Deaf and disability history.