Behind the Blue Doors, a new photo-story and exhibition, reveals the fascinating story of an almshouse in the heart of Brixton, endowed in 1824 by Thomas Bailey, a very successful china and glass merchant, and which continues to offer accommodation, for those in need, 200 years later. Almshouses have been described as “The unsung heroes of UK social housing” and are growing in number. This is the first time a documentary photographer has documented an almshouse, its residents and their stories, and its history.
The photo-story story is in three parts and is full of revelations. One part reveals how Trinity Asylum, as it was then called, came to be, and the two key characters behind its early years who, hitherto, have been unrecognised as important Brixton figures in the early nineteenth century. One part reveals how this almshouse ‘for pious aged women’ operated in the nineteenth century, including what it took to become an ‘Inmate’, its rules and regulations, and the life of ‘The Superintendent’; it includes the moving story of one inmate, Margaret Wright. And one part reveals the inspiring stories of some of the current 17 residents, two hundred years on, for whom age is no barrier to living a full life.
The exhibition to celebrate the almshouse’s bicentenary in 2024 includes over 50 photographs and accompanying narrative that bring to life the current residents, their life stories and their homes, as well as documents, prints and portraits from the nineteenth century that shed light on the almshouse’s first 100 years. There is also a display of artefacts, documents and objects, including a selection of personal possessions of the current residents
The exhibition is being staged in the exhibition gallery in the newly-opened Lambeth Archives in Brixton (16 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1ET) from April 19th - June 1st 2024. Admission is free. Opening hours: Mondays 1-8pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-6pm; Wednesdays Closed; Fridays 10-3pm; Saturdays 9-1pm and 2-5pm.
STOP PRESS: Exhibition extended to June 22nd.
The exhibition was featured in various media including BBC News and BBC radio. To download the press release, click here.
A selection of images is shown below; click the opening image to reveal the story with captions at the bottom.
Below are some installation images before the exhibition’s opening:
A 118-page book accompanies the exhibition and is available in either printed format (£25 + P&P) or downloadable PDF (£10). Contact jim.grover@mac.com to purchase a copy or use the contact form by clicking here . Extracts are shown below.
Book introduction
