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The Arsenal at work and play

 
The lives of thousands of people who worked at the Royal Arsenal are the focus of a new exhibition.

Workers in a foundry
The Work, Rest and Play exhibition is a temporary display that will run on the ground floor of the Heritage Centre from Tuesday 15 July until Saturday 30 August.

The gallery will showcase objects, photographs and archive material giving an insight into the lives of the Arsenal workers.

The exhibition will feature film and archive material as well as images of the factories and workers along with examples of what they made and the machinery and tools they used.

At work

The 1,000-acre site developed from small laboratories or workshops in the 17th century to a massive industrial complex employing 80,000 people. The site was at its height during World War II, employing many women for the war effort, and continued as a major manufacturing area until the 1960s.

Workers at a tailor's shop
It employed people of many different trades including blacksmiths, carpenters, tool makers, wheelwrights, welders, electricians, steel makers, tailors and crane operators. 

Workers at a blacksmith's shop in Woolwich

At play

The display also highlights the many leisure pursuits of this massive workforce with photographs, memorabilia and sports equipment to illustrate the diverse nature of 'play' at the Arsenal.

Each workforce developed their own sporting, social and recreational clubs and there was great rivalry between them.

Woolwich Arsenal
There were many competitions ranging from athletics, badminton and boxing through to swimming galas and wrestling.

One group, known as the Royal Arsenal Football Club has developed into today’s world famous Arsenal Football Club.

Find out more about the Heritage Centre.

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  • 020 8854 2452