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The Hearsum Collection

Preserving the story of Richmond Park and the Royal Parks

The Hearsum Collection is a registered charity (No. 1153010) dedicated to one clear purpose: helping people understand the history of Richmond Park and the wider Royal Parks.

It was formally established in 2013, building on work that began years earlier, with the aim of bringing together historical material that had been scattered across different archives and private collections.

Today, it continues to make that history accessible to the public in a way that feels open, educational, and easy to explore.

BUILT OVER DECADES OF CARE AND RESEARCH

A growing historical archive

The Collection now contains more than 2,500 historical items, with material covering around 400 years of park history.

These items include antique prints, paintings, maps, postcards, photographs, documents, books and press cuttings, each one helping to tell a different part of the story.

Rather than sitting in storage, the collection is actively being catalogued and organised by a dedicated group of volunteers from the Friends of Richmond Park, who continue to help bring structure and meaning to the archive.

Chef preparing food
A WIDE AND VARIED RECORD OF THE PAST

What the collection includes

The Hearsum Collection brings together an impressive range of material, including:

– Historic maps showing how the park has changed over time
– Early photographs capturing lost landscapes and buildings
– Paintings and prints of Richmond Park across different eras
– Postcards and printed memorabilia
– Books, documents and written records
– Press cuttings documenting key events and stories

Together, these items offer a detailed and often unexpected view of life in and around Richmond Park over the centuries.

MORE THAN JUST HISTORICAL OBJECTS

Why it matters

What makes the Hearsum Collection important isn’t just the number of items it holds; it’s the story they tell when viewed together.

They help explain how the Royal Parks developed, how people have used them over time, and how landscapes we now take for granted have been shaped by history, politics and everyday life.

It’s a reminder that Richmond Park is not just a green space; it’s a living archive in its own right.

Making the collection more available

The Collection is continually being catalogued and preserved with the help of volunteers, ensuring that more of it becomes accessible over time.

The long-term aim is simple: to make the archive easier for the public to explore, understand and enjoy, whether online or through future visitor experiences.

Much of this work is still ongoing, but progress is steady and driven by a strong commitment to sharing heritage rather than hiding it away.