A NEW book celebrating the beauty of Whitehall Historic House has been launched in collaboration with Sutton Council and Sutton Mencap.
Situated in the heart of Cheam Village, Whitehall Historic House is a 500-year old timber-framed Tudor building.
Its original use is debated, although some suggest it was a meeting or council house once visited by Queen Elizabeth I.
What is certain, is that prior to its doors opening as a museum in 1978, Whitehall has, over the years, been a home to many people.
In early 2020, Sutton Mencap, a charity working to improve the lives of people with a learning disability and their carers, were invited to imagine what life would be like if they lived in this unique setting.
Working closely with Sutton’s Councils’ cultural services and storyteller Richard Neville, participants explored stories and ideas with the aim of developing a creative and inclusive output.
'At Home in White Hall: An Alternative Guide to Whitehall Historic House
The book is a collection of collages and drawings produced by Sutton Mencap, inspired by their experience of Whitehall Historic House in Cheam.
Adult Services Manager, Sutton Mencap, Tammy Satchel said: “Building relationships within our local community is especially important for Sutton Mencap.
"The project we took part in helped us to build a special friendship with Whitehall. Our service users really enjoyed each session.
"We all fell in love with Whitehall and its history and look forward to more engaging projects.”
Councillor Steve Cook said: “It is through this kind of co-creative work that Sutton’s museums and libraries become platforms for meaningful dialogue and creative expression.
"This book offers an original, lively interpretation of one of the borough’s oldest historic buildings, successfully demonstrating that Whitehall Historic House is not a static space, but constantly shaped by Sutton’s contemporary communities."
The electronic version of the book, published by The Caper Press, is now available to freely borrow from digital lending platforms across the The Libraries Consortium.
The physical version of the book is available to borrow across Sutton Libraries.
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