Friends’ next talk – history of the Crystal Palace

For the uninitiated a talk about the Crystal Palace may conjure up how the English Premier League football team are faring.

However, while the football team was established in 1905 the magnificent Crystal Palace we are are featuring was designed for the Great Exhibition of 1851!

It will be the subject of the first Museum Friends talk of 2026 on Wednesday February 25 at 2pm in the Cornerstone Methodist Church, London Road, Horsham.

The speaker will be Ian Gledhill, a popular and versatile Sussex lecturer, who will outline the story of the unique Crystal Palace structure in South London.

Although designed for the Great Exhibition, it was then transported to Sydenham and rebuilt and enlarged.

The Crystal Palace was Joseph Paxton’s masterpiece, and was the largest iron and glass building ever constructed.

It dominated the south London skyline for more than 80 years until its tragic destruction by fire in 1936.

Admission to all is £7.50, including refreshments.

Pictured is a sampler of the Crystal Palace that is part of the Horsham Museum & Art Gallery archives.