Lewisham Market
The History Stall
For two Saturdays in July 2025 we pitched our History Stall in Lewisham market. Under the shelter of a bunting-strewn garden canopy, we displayed pictures from Lewisham’s historical market, a few evocative quotes, and timelines of key events. We expected that we would need to initiate conversations, to invite people to step up to the stall and talk to us. However, from the start, shoppers came to us, interested to see who we were and what we were doing. Once the conversation started, many people had a lot to say; they were eager to tell us what they did (or didn’t) know about the history of the market, to share their memories, and to tell us why they value the market.
© Camille Serisier
Pop-up exhibition and talk
In September 2025 we returned to Lewisham town centre, this time to an empty unit inside the Shopping Centre, where we set up a pop-up exhibition (an extended version of the History Stall, with much more extensive material on the history of the market). In the evening, we gave a talk, organised and hosted by the Lewisham Council local history team. Once more, people were keen to talk, and many of those who came into the exhibition stayed for a while and engaged in detailed conversations or put time and effort into filling in the survey. The talk ended with an engaged discussion on the value of the market and its history.
Return to the Market
Across spring and early summer 2026, the History Stall will be returning to Lewisham Market. Please pop by for a chat about the market and to learn about its history!
© Camille Serisier