Vocal & Piano Music by Schubert in Aid of the Museum
Christian Fellner was born in London and received his earliest musical training from his father, a professional organist. He studied piano, organ, harpsichord and singing and formed his own ensemble to perform baroque chamber music before beginning full-time vocal studies at Trinity College of Music, London. He continued his studies after graduation at the Central […]
Find out more »Private Minds, Public Histories: Discovering Archives of Mental Illness and Learning Disability at Surrey History Centre.
Lastminute.com & Inspiring Places
Lastminute.com have listed the Langdon Down Museum and Normansfield Theatre as one of their inspiring 100 places to visit in London. Here’s the link: http://www.lastminute.com/inspiration/100-things-in-london/
Find out more »Filling the “vacant space”: Constructing learning disability in Wilkie Collins’ No Name and The Law and the Lady
Our Museum Volunteers 2: Chris Oprey
Why have a museum of Learning Disability? Why commemorate the often distressing history of our readiness in the past to incarcerate those who were unable to meet the social and educational norms of the society into which they were born? Can we learn anything of value in such a place which will enlighten our own […]
Find out more »Our Museum Volunteers 1: Jacqui Humphreys
I have been a volunteer at the Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability since the Museum opened over two years ago. The number of volunteers has varied between three and five. My interest in the old Normansfield Hospital began in the 1970s when I discovered it included a 19th century theatre, still intact. Other volunteers […]
Find out more »Normansfield: The Early Years 1868 to 1913. Part 8 Case Study: Robert Belchamber
Ref: Case Book H29/NF/B/13/002 pp 122, 137, 138 Robert Belchamber was born and spent his early life in India where his father was working. Before he was 10 years old, his behavior gave cause for concern; he showed “deviation from natural disposition”, disagreed with people he lived with and thought they were listening at his […]
Find out more »Normansfield: The Early Years 1868 to 1913. Part 7 Case Study: Ida Penelope Page
Ninety eight per cent of patients were admitted with a mental disorder listed as either idiocy or imbecility. Ida is interesting because she did not fall into either category. The Admission Register lists her mental disorder as nymphomania. Ida was admitted to Normansfield at the age of 16 at the instigation of her father on […]
Find out more »Normansfield: The Early Years 1868 to 1913. Part 6 Teaching
Formal education formed an important part of treatment in Normansfield. Teachers, however, were expected to participate fully in the life of patients and to bond with them. As will be seen from the work rotas, duties were not, therefore, confined to the classroom. Timetable extracted from LMA File Ref H29/NF/B/16/01 TEACHER ROTA […]
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managed by the Down’s Syndrome Association. Registered Charity no 1061474