Collection: Bromley Museum at Bromley Historic Collections

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  Bromley Museum was founded in 1965 at The Priory, Orpington. Initially the museum collection was mainly archaeological objects from the Orpington area. Alongside this material was the Avebury collection, which includes ethnographic and archaeological items from around the world, developed by Sir John Lubbock, the First Lord Avebury, who lived at High Elms, Farnborough. These acted as a source of information and inspiration for visitors. Over the years the museum subsequently acquired more archaeology from excavations, social history, geology and natural history. The London Borough of Bromley’s fine art collection was transferred from the Council into the care of the museum in the mid-1990s. These separate collections all consolidated to form one core collection of objects for the service.

  In October 2015 the Bromley Museum at The Priory in Orpington was closed. The management of the museum collection was transferred to Bromley Local Studies and Archives that is situated at Bromley Central Library. From April 2016 the Borough’s local studies, archives and museum services began operating as an integrated service known as Bromley Historic Collections (BHC).

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2022

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Archaeology

  BHC has a collection of archaeological material derived from excavations and fieldwork, as well as stray finds, from the area now covered by the London Borough of Bromley. It covers all periods from early prehistoric to medieval times i.e. up to AD 1500. Within this general heading are a number of small collections assembled in the past by local people, which have been donated, for instance: the Fordyce and Eldridge Collections.

  The archaeological collection included significant archaeological archives from excavations at the following sites:

  • Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington
  • Durley House, St Mary Cray
  • Kent Road, St. Mary Cray
  • Poverest Road, Orpington
  • Priory Rose Garden, Orpington
  • Ramsden Iron Age Farmstead
  • St Botolph’s Church, Ruxley
  • Walsingham School, St. Paul’s Cray
  • Warbank Roman Cemetery, Keston

  A transfer of the records and finds from these nine sites to the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC), managed by the Museum of London, was undertaken in 2016, so that this material could continue to be studied and be used even more than presently to inform and educate.

  Decorative arts

  The decorative art collection is limited to a small number of specimens of contemporary craft pottery and embroidery produced by local artists.

  Ethnography

  In addition to the material that forms part of the Avebury Collection, the ethnographic collection mainly consists of contemporary objects from Africa, particularly from Uganda, donated by residents of the Borough.

  Fine art

  The collection of paintings, prints and drawings includes works by London Borough of Bromley artists, regardless of the subject of a painting, and works depicting Bromley subjects (including portraits) by non-borough artists. Most of this collection was transferred from the Bromley Local Studies Library in the 1990s. In addition, the collection includes prints that were assembled by the borough’s Education department during the 1970s.

  Natural history

  The existing collection of natural history material have derived from old collections and stray finds, mainly from the area now covered by the London Borough of Bromley, but including some from non-local areas of Britain and overseas. It includes lepidoptera, birds’ eggs and geological specimens.

  Numismatics

  The numismatic collection includes coins and tokens derived from archaeological excavations and fieldwork, including hoard finds, from the London Borough of Bromley. It also includes medals and medallions that are particularly relevant to the borough.

  Social history

  The collection of social history material from the London Borough of Bromley has been acquired principally by donation. It consists of a wide range of items including household goods, commemorative items, objects relating to World War II and a small costume and textile collection. Within this collection is a group of items relating to the former Crystal Palace that were transferred to the borough in 1987 via the London Residuary Body (after the demise of the Greater London Council).

  The Avebury Collection

  The Avebury Collection formed the nucleus of the collection when Bromley Museum opened in 1965. It was developed by naturalist, archaeologist and ethnographer Sir John Lubbock, the 1st Lord Avebury (1834–1913) who lived at High Elms, Farnborough. It includes archaeology from British and European sites, as well as ethnography from around the world. It also includes the important reconstructions of prehistoric life by Ernest Griset.

  Ownership of the Avebury Collection was split between the Orpington Historical Society (OHS) and the British Museum. The OHS deposited/loaned their material with Bromley Museum in 1965. In 2003, the OHS decided to give the collection to Bromley Museum; however, a complication arose because no proof could be found that OHS had full title to the collection. To conclude the matter it was decided to contact the Lubbock family, who were unable to confirm the status of the collection, but allowed for the transfer of the collection to Bromley Museum based on the following conditions:

  • That the collection is not split up (either by site or owner), except for short period loans;
  • That the collection is not sold off to anyone;
  • That the collection remains within the Orpington (or Bromley) area and remains available for inspection as a resource for historians and other interested members of the public;
  • That these undertakings are passed on to and become the responsibility of any successor organisation of the London Borough of Bromley;
  • If, for any reason, these conditions become unacceptable, the Lubbock family (Lyulph, his heirs and assigns) have first call on reclaiming the collection.

  The London Borough of Bromley accepted these conditions as they in no way conflict with the standard conditions governing the acquisition of objects. If for any reason the collection was moved elsewhere or there was a request for an item to be repatriated then the borough would consult with the family.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2022

  Licence: CC BY-NC