The Passmore Edwards Museum Trust was established in 1973 by the Governors of the Passmore Edwards Museum to serve as a means whereby historical artefacts relevant to the collecting policy of the Museum could be purchased or received into ownership without involving the bureaucratic machinery of local government. Its independence enabled the acquisition of various property for the continued benefit of the local community without the varying politics of local government.
Without the intervention of the Passmore Edwards Museum, the London Borough Of Newham's Planning Committee and Department of Planning and Architecture, and eventually the existence of the Passmore Edwards Museum Trust, the House Mill would not be standing today. Against a background of demolition notices and the infill of the river to the north of the Mill the Trust successfully "won" the freehold of the House Mill.
In 1985, the Passmore Edwards Museum Trust established The Passmore Edwards Museum Trust (House Mill) Ltd, later to be renamed The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust Ltd., to take ownership of the property and restore it to a condition wherein the Governors of the Passmore Edwards Museum could establish and provide an extension of the museum service already managed by them elsewhere in Newham.
In the late 1980s, following severe funding cutbacks by the London Borough of Newham, the Governors confirmed that they were no longer able to continue to support the original policy of providing a museum in the Mill. Effectively, the London Borough of Newham withdrew although it was later the vehicle through which European funding was routed to build the Miller's House Visitor and Information Centre.
The Trust continued in its aim to preserve and restore the House Mill. It sought financial assistance to complete its task and received generous support from several bodies, significantly, English Heritage and Stratford Development Partnership but also others. The Trust directors gave their time and effort over many years to ensure, through their professional team and builders, that the restoration was of the highest quality.
The Trust has been successful. The House Mill has been restored and the Miller's House reconstructed as a Visitor and Education Centre gaining two architectural (builders) awards.
To restore the House Mill, pay its running costs and develop its
educational facilities is a very expensive project. Funding from major
sources, including Stratford's City Challenge and English Heritage
have helped enormously, but further funding is still needed.
You
can help by visiting the Mill, becoming a
volunteer, a Friend of the Mill or
by making a donation.
Join the Friends by simply sending us £5.00 (or more!) for your year's subscription.