close search

People's Museum Somers Town

Impact data and claims within this report are provided by the project creator and have not been independently verified by Spacehive.

People's Museum Somers Town

Somers Town Space By Somers Town Space

Our mission is to create 'a space for us' to tell the stories of radical thinkers and social reformers and to preserve the character of a London working class 'town' at risk: Somers Town St Pancras.

Camden Delivery stage

£22,322
pledged of £58,539

Sorry this project was unsuccessful, we did not reach our fundraising goal.

We want 'a space for us': in a place where social reform and radical thinking took root - huge ideas of social justice that changed lives. In the spirit of the pioneers of the innovative slum clearance that took place here, in their mottos: "Housing is not enough" and Art in Everyday life" we want to build a museum to honour their legacy, of the 100 years of social housing, to tell the stories: the cohesive working class communities: midwives, landladies, to the first Pearly King. And space for stories of earlier radical thinkers who changed lives: for this was home to Wollstonecraft & Godwin; Unity theatre; and Garrett Anderson's women's hospital. With so much at risk from the huge developments facing this area, we need to preserve the character of this unique patch of London, for where else a priest running a pub and mum's clubs running pantomimes? We need 'a space for us' so all the communities in a deprived area benefit, and the stories not forgotten. Help us bring this to life!

What we'll deliver:

  • Secure premises for future "museum"
  • Interactive multimedia display: films, hear voices of working class memories
  • Outdoor installation (Lockdown)
  • Secure premises
  • Co-curated exhibition with school/ online
  • Youth project to design an exhibition
  • Exhibition
  • Guided walks

Why it's a great idea:

Preserve the character of this corner of London with huge stories to tell: from radical ideas about women's education and medicine, communal living, theatre, and social housing. Benefit a deprived working class area through this social enterprise - we will reinvest all profits and employ and train local young people. We will preserve art in every day life Gilbert Bayes - working class art which has gone 'missing'. We want to honour and preserve the community's memory, honour local people with access to their own history: and help a social history of a unique area of London which is at risk of change from rapid development.

Steps to get it done:

  • An outdoor exhibition
  • Secure premises for museum (out of lockdown)
  • Obtain funding for an interactive display
  • Complete research for permanent exhibition
  • Complete exhibition design
  • Complete artwork commission
  • Complete Design of co-curated children's exhibition
  • Complete installation / exhibition
  • Set up project for youth to design exhibition

We've researched, recorded memories, published, and made a film - and now we're ready to create a "space for us". There is a rare opportunity right now; a perfectly located space within a listed social housing estate is sitting vacant; an echo of a museum in its sister estate in Vienna. A museum about social reform in an area of social housing is apposite - our own people's museum.

Read More

Location Camden

About the space

Somers Town St Pancras

Council

London Borough of Camden

Read More

How will the money be spent?Total £58,538

Interactive Video Wall for videos/ audio/ photos - £26,000 (44%)
12 months rent free @ £10k annual rent - £10,000 (17%)
Museum Planning and Design - £4,800 (8%)
Build of outdoor installation to hold - £4,800 (8%)
Engagement / marketing content local role - £3,600 (6%)
9 x outdoor display cases (1m x1m) - £3,200 (5%)
Lockable display cabinet for things - £1,483 (3%)
Decoration of outdoor windows of building so fit for display - £1,200 (2%)
Other - £3,455 (6%)

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

44%
Interactive Video Wall for videos/ audio/ photos
£26,000
17%
12 months rent free @ £10k annual rent
£10,000
8%
Museum Planning and Design
£4,800
8%
Build of outdoor installation to hold
£4,800
6%
Engagement / marketing content local role
£3,600
5%
9 x outdoor display cases (1m x1m)
£3,200
3%
Lockable display cabinet for things
£1,483
2%
Decoration of outdoor windows of building so fit for display
£1,200
6%
Other Read More
£3,455
  • Spacehive fees
    £1,831
  • Transaction Fees
    £1,258
  • VAT
    £366

Total £58,538

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.
  • Digital Screen! Carpenter Wood
  • PR Marketing Advertising Curation

Want to help?

Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.

Volunteer
{{comment.UserName}} Creator Backer
{{comment.Comment}}
{{comment.Comment}}
{{reply.UserName}} Creator Backer
{{reply.Comment}}
{{reply.Comment}}
Load all comments