Langdon Down Museum
The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability at Normansfield in Teddington, was the home and institution developed by the Victorian physician Dr John Langdon Down and his family where a revolutionary and enlightened approach was developed for the care of people with learning disabilities.
The museum includes displays about the work of Dr John Langdon Down and the history of Normansfield from 1868 to 1997. Also on display are objects from the Royal Earlswood Asylum and artefacts made by James Henry Pullen (1835–1916), a savant known as the Genius of Earlswood Asylum. This includes his ships, a model of Brunel’s Great Eastern, paintings and other objects.
The building contains a Grade II* listed Victorian theatre. This rare example of a private theatre contains original painted scenery and other ornate fixtures and fittings.
The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability is owned and managed by the Down’s Syndrome Association. The museum contributes to the social history of learning disability.
The archive acquires artefacts, documents, photographs and other materials of historical importance.
Regular scheduled talks and tours.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours:
For next open days please check the website for details.
Admission:
Free admission.
Accessibility:
Visitor parking available.
Events & Exhibitions
Holocaust Memorial Day Event
Monday 27 January 2020 | 2:00PM
Monday 27 January 2020 | Museum open 2pm – 5pm
3.15pm: Aktion T4: A documentary film
The Aktion T4 Nazi Euthanasia programme was responsible for the murder of approximately 275,000 people with learning disabilities.
In this 30 minute documentary film, Berge Kanikanian who has Down’s syndrome, travels to Poland and Germany to visit the sites of euthanasia centres and speaks to researchers and historians.
Please note this film is not suitable for anyone under 16 years of age.
This event is free. Booking not required.
Full Details
Learning
Group visits
Group visits can be booked which include a tour of the theatre and museum with a talk on the history of Normansfield. Refreshments are provided. We can also create a visit to your particular interests.
Personal tours
Book a personal one hour tour with the archivist during the week. For this we ask for a donation to the museum.
External talks
We visit external venues and give talks about the history of Dr John Langdon Down and Normansfield.
Education visits
Visits include talks on the history of Dr Langdon Down, Normansfield, the theatre, local history, tour of the building, social history of learning disability.
- Schools: infant schools to secondary. Visits include optional activities and discussion.
- Further and Higher Education studies: health care, social history of learning disability, heritage.
For further information please visit our website.
Location & Travel Links
Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability
Down’s Syndrome Association
The Langdon Down Centre
Normansfield
2A Langdon Park
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9PS
Get directions.
Hampton Wick
281, 285
