Museum collections

For full information on collections visit the Museum of Croydon website.

Croydon art collection

The Croydon art collection contains over 2,000 paintings, prints and drawings. Depictions of local scenes and landmarks are stored alongside prints by Henry Moore and Bridget Riley and paintings by Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Contact us to find out about other works in the Croydon art collection or to arrange a visit to the paintings store.

Social history collection

This collection is displayed in the Museum of Croydon galleries. It includes objects used by Croydon people from 1800 to the present day. A 1950s bubble car, 19th century clock from the Greyhound Inn and a Subbutteo set are all included.

Riesco collection of Chinese ceramics

A collection of Chinese ceramics dating from 2500 BC to the 19th century.

The collection was acquired by the London Borough of Croydon from local businessman Raymond Riesco. Most of the current collection is on display in the Riesco Gallery at Croydon Clocktower.

Oral history collection

Around 500 interviews with people who have lived, loved and worked in Croydon. Their voices tell of major events and personal experiences. Do you want to know what life in Croydon was like in the past? Then listen to the people who where there!

You can make an appointment to listen to many of the interviews by contacting us using the details below.

Handling collection

A collection of historical objects that are meant to be touched. The objects are used in museum education sessions to help people learn about life in the past.