The Isle of Dogs lies in a loop of the River Thames in the East End of London between Limehouse and Blackwall, opposite Greenwich on the South Bank. It is the site of the old West India and Millwall Docks and of the new Canary Wharf office development.

People on the Isle of Dogs started collecting photographs and reminiscence in 1981. This was at the time when the docks and most of the local factories had closed and redevelopment was on the horizon

Left: The Millwall Docks in 1984, a photograph by Mike Seaborne.

There was unemployment and an atmosphere of uncertainty. Feelings of loss of local identity and of traditional ways of working and living, were countered by the activity of recording and preserving local history, of sharing memories and renewing contacts.

Although very few artefacts had survived the Blitz and post-war re-housing, many people had collections of photographs, preserved in albums and boxes.

Photographs, like this one of a 1930s party in Mellish Street, were loaned to the Trust to be copied and returned. New prints were made. With every print, information was gathered - names, dates and stories.

The information was indexed for easy reference. Today there are over 5,000 pictures in the Collection and many thousands of names.

It has always been on open access and is used by people living locally, visitors with a connection to the Island, newcomers and researchers.

Visitors rarely go away without finding someone connected to their family, or a school, a street, a building, a workplace, connected to their personal history.

Left: A visitor at Island History Open Days (See Home and Latest)

Recorded interviews were made with elderly Islanders. Some people wrote down their memories, sometimes producing complete autobiograhies and diaries.

This material has been archived, catalogued and indexed.  It has been added to with leaflets, programmes, publications and other printed material. This Ephemera Collection can be viewed on request.

The material has been used alongside the photographs in a series of publications and exhibitions. There is an annual Calendar and a regular Newsletter

Left: A visitor studying our latest exhibition.

In 1985, a slot in the Timewatch television programme put Island History in touch with many Islanders who had moved away since the Second World War.

This broadened the base of the Trust's support and led to our Open Days (see  Home and Latest). At these events, usually held twice a year in May and October at the Dockland Settlement, people gather from near and far to reminisce, to meet up with old friends and long-lost relatives, and browse the Photograph Collection.

These events are as popular as ever.

Left: Open Days, a typical scene

The Trust has worked closely with Islanders for 30 years, creating records, ensuring public access, running local history classes and workshops and supporting other groups in projects around the theme of local history.  We  record and celebrate the history of the Isle of Dogs and have fun doing it!

Left: An Island History outing to Brighton

The dark moments in the history of the Island, times of loss and struggle, are not forgotten (See Wartime Memories)

Left: anti-aircraft gun on the Mudchute in the Second World War

In 1984-85, Island History collaborated with London photographer Mike Seaborne to create a special collection of photographs showing the Island at the time - just as redevelopment was beginning in earnest.

Left: A changing Island  - Manchester Road looking north-east towards Blackwall, in 1985. (Photograph by Mike Seaborne)

 The Island History Trust has flourished for 30 years thanks to the support of hundreds of Islanders and others. It is managed by eight Trustees, who employ a part-time curator. There are many volunteers, whose contribution is essential. The Trust is funded by donations, subscriptions to the Newsletter and the sale of publications and does not receive any public funding.

In 2013 Trustees are preparing to move the Collections to the Tower Hamlets Local Studies Archive in Bancroft Road, Mile End, where they will have a secure, permanent and accessible home.  This move has been prompted by the impending demolition of the Trust's home in the Dockland Settlement.  It is expected that the Photograph Collection will shortly become accessible on-line, as part of the on-line gallery at the Local Studies Archive. Information will be up-dated here.

Meanwhile, the Trust has a new home in St. John's Community Centre in Glengall Grove, where you can continue to explore the Photograph Collection in digital format, and the hard copy Ephemera Collection, which also contains thousands of names. Visiting Us