Heath Robinson Museum

The Heath Robinson Museum, dedicated to showcasing the work of the world-renowned artist, illustrator, humorist and social commentator William Heath Robinson (31 May 1872–13 September 1944). The museum was declared officially open by local author and children's writer Michael Rosen on 15 October 2016 at a ceremony attended by hundreds of people in Pinner Memorial Park, north-west London. It is the first London museum in over 40 years to be purpose-built in Greater London.

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Developed and created with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £1.3m and substantial donations from local patrons, residents and businesses, the new museum features two galleries, a permanent display covering the career of W. Heath Robinson and his illustrations and artworks, as well as a Special Exhibition gallery that hosts a programme of special themed exhibitions that change every three months. Pinner Memorial Park Pinner, London, UK, is close to Pinner tube station on the Metropolitan Line.

The West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust is a registered charity which restored West House in Pinner Memorial Park for community use. The Trust is a partnership between local Pinner people and the William Heath Robinson Trust, custodians of the artist’s work.

When Heath Robinson’s daughter Joan died, her husband wanted her collection of her father’s work to be kept in public ownership. As a result the William Heath Robinson Trust was formed in 1992. The original collection included about 500 pieces of original art work together with an archive of letters, association copies and special editions of the books that he illustrated, proof prints, advertising booklets and ephemera. The National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund grant-aided the William Heath Robinson Trust in 2015 to purchase some 400 additional important works for the Museum, bringing the collection to nearly 1,000. It is the only substantial collection of the artist’s work in public ownership.

William Heath Robinson created much of his significant work in the decade he lived in Pinner with his family. Heath Robinson was born in 1872 in Ennis Road, Finsbury Park. In 1874 the family moved to Bryantwood Road, Islington, and in 1878 to Benwell Road, Islington where his grandparents were already living. In 1884 he attended Islington Probationary School. In 1886 the family moved to Camden Road, Holloway. In 1887 Heath Robinson left school to attend Islington School of Art and in 1888 the family moved back to Ferme Park Road in the Stroud Green part of Finsbury Park. In 1892, Heath Robinson entered the Royal Academy Schools and started his career as a painter and illustrator.

Cynthia Wells, acting chairman of the West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust, said at the Opening Ceremony: "The Trustees and Management Board are absolutely delighted to see this long-awaited museum become a reality. The highly-distinctive building finally provides a permanent home for the magnificent collection of Heath Robinson artworks, with an accompanying programme of special themed exhibitions and a dedicated activity studio for our learning and activities workshops. We have so many people to thank who have worked so hard on the development and the project. In particular we thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Lottery players and our many patrons, sponsors and local fund-raisers – and of course our fantastic volunteers. We look forward to welcoming all the visitors who we know have waited so long for this significant addition to our national arts, educational and cultural landscape."

The museum now has its own dedicated web site heathrobinsonmuseum.org

The William Heath Robinson Trust ran a campaign to raise funds for the museum, which started in October 2013. The museum passed the first round of Heritage Lottery Funding in March 2012, which led to it receiving a £1.1 million grant in December 2013.