Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability

The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability at Normansfield Teddington, was the home and institution developed by the Victorian physician Dr John Langdon Down and his family where a revolutionary and enlightened approach was developed for the care of people with learning disabilities.

It includes exhibitions about the work of Dr John Langdon Down, Normansfield and the Royal Earlswood Asylum. It also displays objects made by James Henry Pullen.

The museum tells the story of the Langdon Down house at Normansfield and includes objects from the Royal Earlswood Asylum. On display are artifacts made by James Henry Pullen (1835–1916), a savantknown as the Genius of Earlswood Asylum. This includes his ships, a model of Brunel’s Great Eastern, paintings and other objects.

The building also contains a Grade II* listed Victorian theatre. This rare example of a private theatre contains original painted scenery and other ornate fixtures and fittings.

The Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability is owned and managed by the Down’s Syndrome Association.

The museum contributes to the social history of learning disability.

The archive acquires and conserve artifacts, documents, photographs and other materials with historical importance.

It is currently working on an oral history project about Normansfield Hospital.

Schools: educational visits from infant to secondary; cross-curricular visit which includes the social history of learning disability, citizenship, art and design, English and drama. For older children we include discussion actvities.

Further and higher education: students studying heritage, social care, learning disability.

Adult Groups: any groups with an interest in local history. 

Visits are led by museum staff. 

The museum was the home and institution developed by the Victorian physician Dr John Langdon Down and his family where a revolutionary and enlightened approach was developed for the care of people with learning disabilities. It includes exhibitions about the work of Dr John Langdon Down, Normansfield and the Royal Earlswood Asylum. It also displays objects made by James Henry Pullen. The building also contains a Grade II* listed Victorian theatre.