Buildings

The Merton Memories images have been divided into 16 main collections or subject areas.
To select a collection simply click on the relevant image box shown below. Alternatively choose from the list that appears when you click the down arrow shown below Filter Collections ( far right of this page. )

You will then be presented with the different subcollections for your chosen photo collection. You can select one of these using the same method.

Our main collections are as follows:

Aerial Views: These are photographs of the borough taken from the air, or from high vantage points. The collection is divided into aerial photos of Merton and Morden, Mitcham and Wimbledon. There is also a subcollection of photographs taken by the RAF in 1946.
These show the effects of wartime bombing on the local landscape.

Archaeology: This collection features photographs of archaeological excavations that have taken place across Merton and pictures of archaeological finds. It includes photos of the
Merton Priory excavation site and finds from a major Anglo-Saxon burial ground in Mitcham.

Buildings: This group of images covers Merton architecture. It has subcollections showing specific types of home including almshouses, private houses and even gypsy caravans.
A related subcollection holds photos of local housing estates such as those at High Path,
Phipps Bridge, Pollards Hill and the St.Helier Estate.

Other subcollections feature buildings with specific purposes including local libraries, pubs, theatres and cinemas. There are also subcollectons for properties of major historical importance such as Merton Priory, Morden Lodge and Lord Nelson's former home, Merton Place.
The Listed Buildings subcollection features properties of recognised architectural significance including Eagle House, Mitcham; Morden Park House and the Old Rectory, Wimbledon.

Education: This collection is divided into images of nurseries, schools and colleges. It includes photos of particular buildings such as Raynes Park High School, King's College School and Merton / South Thames College. Also featured are playground scenes and photographs of school classes and events.

Events and Organisations: One of our largest collections, this features images of Merton clubs and societies, cultural events, pageantry and local celebrations of national events. It also includes subcollections featuring opening ceremoines and images of major incidents from Merton's past.

Examples include: Photographs of Merton events to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the 1953 coronation; Mitcham Charter Day; MItcham Fair; Morden and Carshalton children's outings and the passage of the Olympic flame through Wimbledon.

Open Spaces: Merton is a surprisingly green borough. This collection is divided into photographs of allotments, common land, private gardens, local parks, recreation grounds and open countryside. It includes pictures of Mitcham Common, Wimbledon Common, Cannizaro Park, Cricket Green, John Innes Park and Morden Park.

People: Merton has been home to many famous and pioneering individuals of both local and national significance. This collection features photographs of notable people from politicians, actors and sportsmen, to clergymen, scientists, businessmen and members of the gentry. There is a subcollection for memorials commemorating particular individuals. In response to public requests we have also created a subcollection for images of gypsies and travellers,
as they have particular relevance to the history of Mitcham.

The People collection includes portraits of Tudor chancellor William Cecil,; naval hero
Horatio Nelson; property developer John Innes and suffragette Rose Lamartine Yates.

Places of Worship: This collection features images of Merton's religious heritage. Subcollections cover Anglican, Roman Catholic and nonconformist Christian churches; chapels; local mosques, temples and synagogues.

Examples include: photographs of Merton's parish churches - St.Mary's, Merton; St. Lawrence Church, Morden; St.Mary's, Wimbledon and St. Peter and St.Paul, Mitcham; the Bhuddhapadipa Temple and the Baitul Futuh Mosque.

Further subcollections feature images of local convents, cemeteries and crematoriums.

Public Services: This collection features a range of images associated with those who serve the local community. Subcollections include photographs of the emergency services, local hospitals, retirement homes, council offices, courts and post offices.

Examples of particular interest include pictures of the Vestry Hall, Mitcham;
Wimbledon Town Hall and Merton Civic Centre; the early fire brigade and local hospitals
such as Atkinson Morley; Nelson Hospital, Merton and the Wilson Hospital, Mitcham.

Rivers and Waterways: Images are divided into subcollections featuring local ponds, streams, rivers and wells. Highlights include photographs of the River Wandle; Queensmere on Wimbledon Common; Seven Islands Pond, Mitcham Common; Cannon Hill Lake and the Pickle, Merton.

This collection also includes pictures of flooding in different parts of Merton and photographs of the local drainage network.

Sports and Leisure: Merton residents have always enjoyed a range of leisure pursuits and the borough has a number of famous sporting associations. This photographic collection has been divided into images of particular sports, pastimes and associated venues including
Leisure Centres.

Collection highlights include photographs of the historic Mitcham Cricket Club; the National Rifle Association meetings on Wimbledon Common; Wimbledon Football Club; the All England Lawn Tennis Championships; Mitcham Athletics Club and the St. Helier Girls Choir.

Streets: This collection features photographs of streets throughout Merton. These have been divided into alphabetical subcollections.

Please note: We do not yet have photographs of every street in the borough. We are working to fill the gaps and make the collection as comprehensive as possible.

Coillection highlights include historic images of the main shopping thoroughfares on
Kingston Road, Merton High Street, Wimbledon Broadway; London Road, Morden and
Fair Green, Mitcham.

Tom Francis Collection: Produced by local businessman, historian and keen photographer Thomas Francis, this unique collection features images of Mitcham from c.1869 to the 1930s. Topics include village characters, local events, buildings and industry. The collection also includes a number of contemporary caricatures produced by Mitcham cartoonist Mr.Collingsby.

Transport: Merton has been shaped by its transport network. This collection is divided into images of transportation from horsedrawn vehicles and trains, to trams, buses and cars.
Other subcollections feature transport infrastructure such as roads, level crossings and station buildings.

HIghlights include Victorian photographs of Wimbledon Station; Jack the trace-horse leading wagons up Wimbledon Hill; trams crossing Mitcham Fair Green and 1930s pictures of
Morden Underground Station.

War: Charting Merton's military history, this collection is grouped into pre-1914 images,
the First World War, the Second World War and post 1945 conflicts. We have a number of images from the two world wars, so the respective subcollections have been divided into relevant topics for ease of use. These include army camps, fundraising, bomb damage,
Civil Defence and war memorials.

Highlights include photos of pamphlets dating from the Napoleonic War; a First World War
army camp on Wimbledon Common; the Mitcham Home Guard; bomb damage on the
St. Helier Estate and V.E.Day street parties in Wimbledon Park.

Work and Industry: Merton has a rich and varied industrial heritage of local, national and international significance. This photographic collection has been divided into subcollections featuring images of historic working practices, associated sites and buildings. It includes everything from farms and horticulture, to mills, factories and the textile industry. We have also included a subcollection for shops and retail, including local restaurants.

Notable examples include photographs of the Morris & Co. arts and crafts works;
the Liberty Print Works; the cultivation of Mitcham lavender; Carters Tested Seeds;
Connolly's Leather Works; Bradbury & Wilkinson Ltd and Merton Park Film Studios.