Bromley Historic Collections

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Bromley Historic Collections

Bromley Historic Collections is the combined archives, local studies library, and museum service for the London Borough of Bromley.

We collect, preserve and make accessible the historic record of the Borough, its communities, institutions and people. Local studies library, archives and museum
Bromley Historic Collections collects, preserves and makes available current and historic materials on the area of the London Borough of Bromley. The collections and records form a unique resource for information about the people, places

and events that make up Bromley's history. Bromley Historic Collections is open to anyone, anywhere in the world, who wants to find out about local and family history, related to the Bromley area. They are welcome to visit or contact us. Follow on twitter

05/05/2026

Exactly 200 years ago, on 5 May 1826 in Spanish Granada, Princess Maria Eugenia Ignacia Agustina de Montijo was born.

Better known as the Empress of the French after her marriage to Napoleon III from the House of Bonaparte in 1830, Eugenie was famously born in the middle of an earthquake; and through her life, the Spanish noblewoman continued to experience life-shaking events.

In September 1870 Napoleon III was overthrown, and in December the couple and their son Louis Napoleon moved to Chislehurst. The Imperial Family was instantly popular in the community as they brought with them a touch of royalty into the small Kentish village. The Bonapartes set up their home at Camden Place. The attached photo (P/NAP/8) in which Eugenie is standing behind her husband, while their son is sited at the opposite site of the coffee table, was taken inside its walls c.1871-72.

The family was hoping that one day the monarchy would be restored in France, but Eugenie's dreams were first shattered on 9 January 1873 when her husband died after a prolonged illness. On the day of his funeral on 15 January, Queen Victoria arrived in Chislehurst bringing with her over a thousand distinguished visitors. Among the mourners were the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Connaught, the Crown Prince of Sweden and Norway, and Prince Leopold.

Eugenie's and the French monarchists' plan never materialised after another tragedy shocked the family a few years later. After coming of age, Louis Napoleon went fighting in Zululand (now South Africa), where he died from his injuries in 1879 at the age of only 23. A year later, the heart-broken former French Empress left Chislehurst and moved to Farnborough in Hants.

Eugenie continued to be active in the UK. During WW1 she donated her steam yacht Thistle to the British Navy and founded a military hospital. She died in Madrid in Spain on 11 July 1920, at the age of 94, and was interred in the Imperial Crypt at St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough.

Photo: BHC, P/NAP/8

Sources and books:
The History of Chislehurst by E.A. Webb, G.W. Miller and J. Beckwith
Edwardian Chislehurst by Arthur Battle
Imperial Chislehurst by T.A. Bushell
Empress Eugenie: her secret revealed by Joyce Cartlidge
Recollections of the Empress Eugenie by Augustin Filon

21/04/2026

Exactly 100 years ago on 21st April 1926, Elizabeth Windsor (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) was born, who at the age of 25 became Queen Elizabeth II.

For April's Picture of the Month, we present you with a photo taken when the Queen (at that point still Princess Elizabeth) visited Bromley. It was taken on 13th October 1949, when Princess Elizabeth came to lay the foundation stone of the new St. Peter and St. Paul Church.

The original Church, known as Bromley Parish Church, was built in 1553, and was largely altered in 1829 and 1871, but survived until WW2. The rebuild took place due to the destruction of the Church when a bomb fell on it on 16th April 1941. The damage was so intensive that only the tower survived, while the rest was destroyed and turned into rubble. That night, Bromley was fiercely attacked and many people lost their lives, homes and places of work. Among the victims was sixth-former Hasel Kissick, who volunteered to be on fire guarding duty that night. Her body was found in the Vestry, and she is now commemorated by a window in the Children's Chapel. By 1945, eight churches around the Bromley area were destroyed, and after the war the community resolved to raise money to rebuild them.

During her visit, Princess Elizabeth said 'Whenever I look on the great cathedrals and abbeys which are our country's inherence - I'm deeply impressed (...). We must certainly build new houses and flats - but it would be altogether wrong to neglect our spiritual welfare'. That day, thousands of locals lined the streets to welcome the Princess.

Today, a century from her birthday, we hope that you enjoyed reading a story from the day she visited our neighbourhood.

Sources:

A Short History of Bromley Parish Church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul (BHC - L.78.8a, 726.50942178 BRO)

Bromley parish Church: Guide and Kalendar 1950 (L 9ba, 726.50942178 BRO)

Bromley from the Earliest Times to the Present Century by E.L. S. Horsborgh

Photograph:

Laying of the foundation stone of the New Parish Church by H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth on 13th October 1949. From the Bromley Parish Church Guide and Kalendar 1950 (726.50942178 BRO)

08/03/2026

Today is and so for Picture of the Month, we present you a photo of Bromley Girl Guides taken in 1919 (Ref GP26/20). The inscription on the back states “J. H. Rogers-Captain of the Bromley Girl Guides holding the Challenge Cup, some of her Company”.

The history of the Girl Guides goes back to 1909, when a group of girls attended a Scout Parade taking place at Crystal Palace and told Scouting Founder Lord Robert Baden Powell they wanted ‘to do the same thing as the boys'. Baden-Powell supported the idea and his sister Agnes became the first President of the Girl Guides Association.

During WW1 the Guides performed various roles. Some repaired bicycles, helped on farms, joined the ambulance service and looked after families in distress whilst others worked for the Foreign Office and the M15. They passed confidential information through the Marconi Wireless Telegraph and, earning 12 shillings a week, worked for the government as secretaries. By 1939 there were 600,000 members in the UK aloneand another million worldwide.

During WW2, thanks to them earning badges in, for example, mechanics and first aid, they helped fill the gaps in the workforce across many industries. They also contributed significantly to fundraising activities.

From the beginning, the Girl Guides had the support of the Royal Family, including Princess Elizabeth (later the Queen) and her sister Margaret, both of whom were keen members.

If, in 1909, it was not suitable for girls to go camping, 20 years later Girl Guides broke this unspoken rule, and after the wars, they continued to push the boundaries and make headlines. In 1966, six Guides broke the girls' relay record for swimming the English Channel.

In 2009, 100 years after its formation, the celebrations were brought back to Crystal Palace where it all began. 6000 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides (and their Group Leaders) attended a large-scale event which included the unveiling of the Girlguiding UK Centenary Maze.

Today, around 250 million girls worldwide were or are part of the Guides, bringing with them changing attitudes towards physical and mental abilities of young women.

Photo Credit: Ref. GP 26/20, Bromley Historic Collections

Further Reading available through Bromley Libraries:
The Story of Girl Guides 1908-1938 by Rose Kerr
The Story of the Girl Guides 1938-1975 by Alix Liddell
The Brownie Guide handbook by Ailsa Bramble by and Jannetta Vise

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

02/03/2026

This Thursday is World Book Day! To help inspire every child to enjoy the life-changing benefits of reading for fun, we've selected some of our favourite books in the collection aimed at our younger readers, as well as highlighting some of the famous children's authors from Bromley.

Do you have any recommendations for younger readers interested in History?

We also love The Osborne Story of London Picture Book, available to borrow from the Children's Library.

19/02/2026

February’s looks at the Grade II listed St Mary's Church; a Roman Catholic church located on the corner of Crown Lane and Hawkwood Lane to the south of Chislehurst. It was built between 1853 to 1854 and designed by William Wardell in the popular Gothic Revival Style of the times.

William Wardell was an architect of some influence and has contributed to many noteworthy churches in Australia – St Patricks in Melbourne, St Marys in Sydney as well as St Johns College at the University of Sydney – all in the Gothic Revival Style.

In 1874, the church was expanded with the addition of a chapel, designed by Henry Clutton (the brains behind Minley Manor near Farnborough) who took inspiration from the chapel at Chateau d’Amboise. St Mary’s Chapel was built to house the tomb of Napoleon III, who died the previous year, spending his last years in exile at nearby Camden Place. In 1879, Napoleon's son, Louis-Napoléon, was also buried in the church.

Around the church is a graveyard, dating to 1864, and contains the tomb of Charles West, the founder of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Here we see the Presbytery (prez-buh-tuh-ree), the home of the Parish Priest.

Picture Reference: N5/61 (dated 1984)

09/02/2026

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Heritage in Bromley, we wanted to share some of our highlights so far:

On 8th January it was announced that the Heritage of London Trust, with support from a grant by the Jones Day Foundation, had acquired the former childhood home of David Bowie. Bowie (1947-2016) lived at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley between the ages of 8 and 20. The Trust plan to return the interior of the house to its 1960s glory and open it to the public as an “immersive experience”. Through its Proud Places programme, the trust will also use the space to host workshops to inspire young people with their local heritage.

Did you receive an invitation to the community event hosted by Heritage of London Trust? If you would like to donate your copy to Bromley Historic Collections, please get in contact.

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On 28th January Chislehurst Golf Club launched www.camden-place.co.uk, a new website to share and celebrate the heritage and history of its clubhouse, Camden Place. Featuring a comprehensive history of the house from 1609 to the present, it also hosts their archive catalogue includes letters sent by Napoleon III to the Empress Eugénie, planning notes for the Emperor’s funeral and dozens of caricatures produced in France after the country’s defeat and surrender at Sedan with plenty more to be added over the coming months.

You can use the website to book tours and talks so keep an eye on their ‘What’s On’ page. There will be events to celebrate the 200th birthday of the Empress and the Jacobian Entrance Hall is a must see. https://www.camden-place.co.uk/events/

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Lastly, it has been announced that the Crystal Palace Museum would be reopening, following a fire last year. Now under the Custodianship of the Crystal Palace Park Trust, the Museum is due to reopen in Spring with plans including opening the museum more regularly, improving accessibility, and redisplaying the museum’s unique archive. We can’t wait to come and visit!

The park is currently undergoing a multimillion-pound regeneration project which includes restoration of the dinosaur sculptures, the creation of accessible routes for the Italian Terraces and a new visitor centre. Further information can be found here: www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org

29/01/2026

In the 'Picture of the Month' we often explore the history of local people, their houses, businesses, schools, fire stations and places to relax.

With the January Sales coming to an end, we’re looking to the High Street and a shop which caused quite the steer when it first opened.

The company Ann Summers was named after the secretary of the founder Michael Caborn-Waterfield. Annice (1941-2012) was born Goodwin, but took on her stepfather's name. The first shop was opened in 1970 in Marble Arch and a year later it was purchased by two brothers Ralph and David Gold. Soon, more shops were opened.

Due to the nature of the business, which was selling 'erotic' underwear and 'adult toys’, each opened shop caused a mixed response from the public. Some window shoppers were intrigued and delighted, while others opposed it on moral or legal grounds. Despite the mixed response, the business quickly grew with 144 retail outlets and a revenue of 109 million pounds (2018).

The first Ann Summers shop in Bromley was opened in June 1996 and, not surprisingly, also caused a bit of controversy. Under the headline 'Residents get hot under the collar...', The 'Bromley Times (18 July 1996) wrote: 'Outraged residents are blaming Bromley council for allowing Ann Summers...to open in the High Street - but borough planners say there is nothing they can do about it'. One interviewed resident argued that ' if it has to be opened up at all, it should be opened somewhere more discreet than in the High Street', while another was upset that that the shop was 'around the corner from Bromley Parish Church'. Saying that, a man called Geoffrey was also astonished that 'knowing the way certain religious groups objected when Sunday trading started, I am surprised there has not been a backlash'.

After almost 30 years, the shop, which has since moved into the Glades, is still trading, while causing a lot less controversy. It might be a recent history but is an example of how social attitudes have changed over the last few decades.

Picture Ref: J5/2183

31/12/2025

We are pleased to announce that the archive collection of Bromley Historic Collections has now been moved into temporary storage ahead of the Central Library move in 2026.

Access to the archive collections will recommence from Tuesday 13th January 2026 by appointment only, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. To book an appointment please email [email protected] at least 7 working days in advance, including the items you would like to look at. Our catalogue is available at www.bromleyarchives.org.uk

Thank you for your understanding during this exciting transitional period. Construction work at 145 High Street is currently underway to provide a new Bromley Central Library to serve residents in the future.

18/12/2025

This month, we’re not just covering Christmas, but take you straight to New Year's Eve seven decades ago.

This leaflet was produced to advertise dancing classes by famous couple Frank and Peggy Spencer, who wondered if anyone would like 'to learn the snazziest up-to-the moment steps'.

They promise to teach people 'to dance without tears' stating that if you cannot dance 'You must do something about it. Why? Because you are not getting as much fun out of life as you should'. Adding 'Just think of all the parties and dances where you could cut a dash'.

The 6-page leaflet, which encouraged everyone to dance, also invited people to a New Year's Eve Dance at the Civic Hall in Orpington on Thursday 31st December (c.1953), with admissions costing 5 shillings and 6 pence.

Peggy, full name Margaret Ann Spencer (1920-2016), born in Bromley, was a British Professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator and regular TV dance commentator. Her team was twice invited to Buckingham Palace to dance in the front of the Queen, and she also worked with the Beatles and on children's show Blue Peter. Together, Peggy and Frank Spencer, a musician and dancer, run the Royston Ballroom in Penge, which was teaching up to 3,000 pupils a year. They and their formation teams played a key role in the original Come Dancing series. Both Peggy and Frank were appointed MBE in 1977.

Whether you have two left feet or wish you could go back in time and dance all night with Peggy and Frank at the Civic Hall, we hope you will have an enjoyable Christmas and New Years!

You can learn more about Peggy and Frank here: https://www.pengeheritagetrail.org.uk/penge-people/peggy-spencer-1920-2016/
Leaflet: Bromley Historic Collections, L28.5 - L.28.6 (Dancing and Balls)

06/12/2025

The High Street is bustling with Christmas shoppers, the Market and a Brass Band today! Don't forget we have a range of products for sale in our Search Room, including the last few mugs, that would make lovely gifts!

Items for sale include postcards, Local History Publications and old OS Maps.

Address

2nd Floor, Central Library, High Street
Bromley
BR11EX

Website

http://www.bromley.gov.uk/historiccollections

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