My Haggerston
My Haggerston will be an in-depth community history project based in the Haggerston ward of Hackney.
My Haggerston will involve local volunteers, businesses, community partners and Discover Hackney members to tell the rich story of Haggerston's heritage over the last 200 years up to the present.
The four key aspects of Haggerston’s history that we've chosen to explore in the "My Haggerston" project are:
• Haggerston’s listed buildings and the history of their use: There are over 100 listed buildings within the ward. We want to create a comprehensive photographic and research archive of all these listed buildings, including an investigation into their changes of use over time and the people that have used them.
• The history of migration in Haggerston: Working with residents from a range of backgrounds we will work uncover the stories of migrants to Haggerston, and how new communities have contributed to the development area’s heritage, particularly in relation to identity, faith, jobs, economy and education.
• The history of Haggerston’s homes and celebrations: We will research past local celebrations of events including the London 1948 Olympics and Jubilees, religious and cultural festivities and birthdays. Research will include collecting oral histories, for example of street parties, as well as photographs, diaries and ephemera.
• The history of leisure and culture in Haggerston: Starting with Hoxton Hall which was built in 1863 as a Music Hall, and has been Haggerston’s cultural and entertainment hub for 148 years; we'll also research other leisure and cultural pursuits and venues in the ward - like Haggerston Park, boating on the canal, or Whiston Road swimming pool.
By the end of the project we'll have an amazing collection of written information, recorded interviews, photographs, film and memorabilia. All of which will be shared with the wider community via events, an exhhibition, walks, talks, learning resources and our website. The young people who participate will create public performances and dramatised tours.
After the project finishes all the material we produce will be conserved at Hackney Archives for future generations.
(Image some rights reserved by Nico Hogg.)