Discover Islington’s beastly past through a fascinating display of unique collections at Islington Archives.
Join Islington Archives for our monthly drop-in on the last Thursday of each month to explore displays from our unique local history collections.
To celebrate the new temporary exhibition at Islington Museum Animals!, this month’s ‘Archive Drop-In’ will feature collections that tell the story of Islington’s four-legged and furry inhabitants across agriculture, entertainment, and domesticity.
In Islington, animals have been subjects (and objects) of entertainment, industry, labour, consumption and care. For hundreds of years, Islington was known as ‘cow-town’ and home to massive dairy and cattle industries. Animals of all-sorts also appeared in plays, circuses, and less-savoury sports.
But it is also where evolutions in animal welfare took place – most notably in 1860 Mary Tealby founded what later became the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in Holloway. From the late 19th century various animal and ecological groups have been active in supporting the ethical treatment of animals from frogs to cats and everything in between.
This drop-in display will feature illustrations, photos, ephemera and press cuttings offering insight into Islington’s non-human heritage. Explore unique archive material up close and at your own pace, with an archivist on hand to answer your questions.
There is no need to book a ticket – just drop-in between 3-6pm. And while you’re here, check out the new exhibition Animals! downstairs at Islington Museum, open until 5pm.
The details are as follows:
Archives Drop-In: Animals!
Thursday, 27 August 3-6pm
Islington Archives, 245 St John Street EC1V 4NB
Free entry. No need to book, just show up!
Further information available on Eventbrite.
