Prefab Museum Coming To Catford

M@
By M@ Last edited 121 months ago
Prefab Museum Coming To Catford

Jim in front of his prefab at the Excalibur estate in Catford, South London. He has been living in his prefab for 20 years and is fighting to save it as the Lewisham Council want to pull the prefabs down.
One of the Excalibur Estate prefabs, and resident Jim who's lived there for 20 years. Image by Elisabeth Blanchet.

A pop-up museum documenting the history of a Catford housing estate is to open in March. The Prefab Museum considers the single-storey prefabs of the Excalibur Estate, built as inexpensive housing after the Second World War.

The estate — one of the last remaining prefab communities in London — is threatened with demolition by Lewisham Council later this year. The museum perhaps offers a final chance to explore the area before it is swept away by development.

Housed within a prefab, the exhibition includes photography, filmed interviews and memorabilia from the estate. It draws largely on the work of Elisabeth Blanchet, who has spent several years exploring and recording its social history.

The Prefab Museum is at 17 Meliot Road, Catford, SE6 1RY from 8 March to 1 April. A launch party takes place on 8 March, 1.30-6pm. Entry is free.

Last Updated 13 February 2014