What’s on

‘The Departing Sailor’ – The Sailor’s Tear and the emotional Jack-Tar
Oct
28

‘The Departing Sailor’ – The Sailor’s Tear and the emotional Jack-Tar

Gates of the Abode - A season of talks and workshops on death, departure and the unseen at Abney Park; this lecture is part of the Tales of Departure series. Seafarers embodied intangible values such as bravery, stoicism, and loyalty at a time when the prevailing military ideals condemned any display of vulnerability or excessive sensitivity, fostering an environment rife with homophobia.

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‘Forever Near’ - Hairwork history and techniques
Oct
29

‘Forever Near’ - Hairwork history and techniques

Gates of the Abode - A season of talks and workshops on death, departure and the unseen at Abney Park; this lecture is part of the Tales of Departure series. Hairwork is the almost forgotten craft of manipulating human hair into decorative designs for jewellery or artwork. Join us for a lecture exploring four distinct hairwork techniques from the Georgian and Victorian eras, examining their applications for the deceased, the living, or both, and the cultural contexts that shaped them.

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Grave Gazers Club: A Drawing Safari at Abney Park
Oct
31

Grave Gazers Club: A Drawing Safari at Abney Park

Grave Gazers Club is an observational drawing workshop exploring the monuments, symbols and inscriptions of Abney Park Cemetery. All Hallows’ Eve marks the opening of the three days traditionally given over to the dead: a time for visiting and attending to those who are gone. In this workshop, we’ll explore looking as a form of contact - with the site, its heritage and the people held within it.

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‘Think if the Man that is not Nigh’ – The narrative of Engraved Coins, 1752 – 1868
Oct
14

‘Think if the Man that is not Nigh’ – The narrative of Engraved Coins, 1752 – 1868

This lecture is part of the Tales of Departure series. Engraved coin keepsakes, customary between 1752 and 1868, are a durable material culture of absence and separation. Join us at Abney Park, final resting place of reformers and reprobates alike, for a talk on these small, defiant tokens of love against impossible odds.

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‘Surrendering my child’ - The Narrative of the Foundling Tokens
Oct
7

‘Surrendering my child’ - The Narrative of the Foundling Tokens

This lecture is part of the Tales of Departure series. In the 18th century, it was not uncommon for children to be abandoned or left in the care of others. This talk explores the emotional narratives behind the foundling tokens, reflecting the heart-wrenching decisions faced by parents and the enduring love that persisted despite separation.

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How to Get on With Everybody
Oct
6

How to Get on With Everybody

A film by Elin Moe and Winstan Whitter, How To Get On with Everybody is an intimate portrait of the unique life of Herschel Gluck, a Rabbi from the Haredi Jewish community. One of life's true optimists in a time of global tension, Rabbi Gluck reminds us that power lies in empathy and in our shared humanity.

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Monthly History Tour
Oct
4

Monthly History Tour

Occurring on the first Sunday of every month and led by Abney Park Trust, this tour focuses on Abney Park's uniqueness – from its diverse permanent residents to the striking funerary architecture, as well as its historic dual function as both burial ground and arboretum since it opened in 1840.

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Chapel Open Morning
Oct
4

Chapel Open Morning

Join us on Sunday 4 October for an opportunity to view inside the recently restored Chapel.

If you just want to see the inside of the Chapel, please feel free to drop in at any time between 11:00 and 13:00.

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