St. MARYS INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS
MUSEUM DISPLAY LAUNCH

Saturday 5th May 2007, saw the launch by staff from Eastleigh Library based at the Swan Centre of the exhibit relating to St. Mary's Industrial Home for Girls. The launch was held in the West End museum between 2pm and 4pm and was by invitation. It was very well attended including descendants of one of the girls (see bottom right picture). Amongst the invited guests and visitors were our Parish Council Chairman Neville Dickinson and noted Eastleigh local historian Mr Gordon Cox.

The exhibit is the work of Linda Glasspool and Cath Sergeant at Eastleigh Library and has been based on a copy of the Day Book for the Home which came into the possession of the Library Local Studies department.

The period covered by the exhibit is from 1884 to 1924 and provides a fascinating insight into social history of the time. Although the building that housed the Home is no longer in existence as it was demolished in the 1960's, many of the girls movements have been traced and details of their later life are shown in the display.

The exhibit has been produced to coincide with Local History Month  which happens to be May this year, and will be on show at both Eastleigh Library and West End Museum for all of May and possibly also the following month at West End.