Local MP celebrates Kingston Museum's 100th Birthday

2.11.04

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, was guest speaker at an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of Kingston Museum. The event, held on the 2nd November, was the climax of a series of events that commemorated the Museum's landmark birthday.

Kingston Museum was originally built in 1904, before having its galleries restored between 1992 and 1997. It now includes a Lottery-funded 'Town of Kings' Gallery, which tells the story of the Borough from Saxon times. Edward Davey MP was called upon to cut the impressive 100th Birthday cake, before making a speech to the guests, who included the Mayor of Kingston, Ed Naylor.

Commenting on this momentous anniversary, Edward Davey MP said:

"Kingston has a lot to be proud of. It is the home of kings and references to the settlement date back over a thousand years.

"The Museum has helped bring the illustrious history of Kingston to life for one hundred years now and has fulfilled a vital educational role for generations. It is testament to the significant place it occupies in Kingston that so many members of the local community were there at the celebration.

"It is a great achievement that the museum continues to thrive after 100 years and I would like to personally wish Kingston Museum a very happy 100th birthday, and to wish it every success in the future.

"This is not simply a celebration of a building or an institution, but of the whole of Kingston's rich and impressive history that is kept alive through the hard work of the Museum. Here's to the next hundred years!"