Heritage Open Days
The Heritage Open Days Weekend every September provides a rare opportunity for visitors to see historic properties throughout the country not normally open to the public.
On the wekend of 13th to 16th September 2002 seventeen buildings were open in Kingston Borough and all reported 'a continual stream'. The administrator at Cleaves Almshouses welcomed 125 'enthralled' visitors, one of whom was able to see where his great great grandfather once lived. The manager of Kingston Dance Studio described the event as 'fantastic', Dorich House provided timed tours for 103 people, and Kingston Magistrates' Court have decided to arrange similar tours more often. Other properties are reporting a similar response.
Kingston Museum is open five days a week throughout the year. So it opened its doors on the Sunday afternoon when it is normally closed, for guided tours of the Museum galleries and historic town centre. Conducted by Kingston Tour Guides and Museum staff, the tours were popular with all the participants. Fifty eight people in small groups had an opportunity to hear about the history of the Museum Building, which is Grade II Listed and nearly a century old, followed by a leisurely historic walk around the Market Place and riverside accompanied by expert local historians. To find out more about Kingston Tour Guides ring 020 8942 7015 or 020 8546 8048.
September 2002