A free exhibition exploring whose stories become part of Kingston’s history opens at the History Centre on Friday 30 October 2026.
Decolonising Kingston: The Living Archive brings together poems, interviews, memories, personal accounts and artwork developed with local residents. Visitors are also invited to contribute to the archive.
The Kingston Heritage listing describes a community-led project addressing perspectives underrepresented in local collections. It also marks 50 years of Kingston Race and Equalities Council’s work.
The partnership includes the borough council, the Race and Equalities Council, residents and artists and researchers Jaixia, Rong and Jacqueline from Sharp Raiser Limited. The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports the project.
When and where to visit
The exhibition is at Kingston History Centre in the Guildhall, High Street, KT1 1EU. Admission is free. Normal opening is Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, with a lunchtime closure.
The venue’s listing gives a mid-November end date, with Saturday 14 November the final Saturday advertised. As the centre is normally closed on Sundays, plan for 14 November or earlier and check the listing before travelling.
The exhibition is due to visit borough libraries after its History Centre showing. Further library dates are not specified in the listing checked for this article.
For access information and directions to the entrance around the back of the Guildhall, use the History Centre’s visitor guide.
Updated on 28 October 2026.
The Guildhall and River Hogsmill, July 2012. Archive location image. Kingston Guildhall and River Hogsmill – archive photograph 2012 by cynthia hudson, CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and compressed; display crops may vary.
