Archives Centre images

Some examples of what you can find in the Archives collections. These images are also available as postcards from the Archives Centre.

Houses of Parliament on Fire (1834)

An example of Westminster Archives’ original watercolours.
On 16 October 1834, Westminster’s ancient Parliament buildings were largely destroyed by fire caused by an overheated stove. No lives were lost, and Westminster Hall was saved, but many historic records were burnt.
Crowds flocked to see London’s biggest conflagration since 1666.

Extract from Burial Register, St. Clement Danes (1670)

Parish registers of all baptisms, marriages and burials were ordered to be kept from 1538. Westminster’s earliest register dates from 1551.
Early registers usually give few details; however this page of burials gives extra details such as ‘John Allen, a Chirurgian [surgeon]' and Alexander Toeshe, a Scot'. Note also the evidence of high infant mortality.
Parish registers are available on microfilm.

Royal Mail Van (circa 1910)

This photograph shows Royal Mail Van no. 119 with its crew in Gloucester Place. London's first local postal deliveries were made by William Dockwra's Penny Post in 1680. Gloucester Place has been home to Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Barrett and Mary Anne Clarke (the mistress of the 'Grand Old' Duke of York).

Oxford Street, c 1895

An example of an old postcard kept in
Westminster Archives’ prints and photographs collection.
The name of this Roman road became established in the 18th century, after the Earl of Oxford acquired land to the north. Building development began in 1739 and by 1800 it was complete as a residential area.
In the late 19th century Oxford Street began to develop into the shopping street it is now. Peter Robinson was one of its first department stores.

Lyceum Theatre Pantomime (1927)

By the time Dick Tubb and Molly Vyvyan appeared in the Queen of Hearts they did so in the sixth building on the Strand site to be known as the Lyceum Theatre.
The first building was opened in 1765.
Westminster City Archives holds a large collection of theatre programmes celebrating the rich history of theatre in the City.