Croydon from the palette of Evacustes Phipson

Croydon from the palette of Evacustes Phipson

Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society in conjunction with Museum of Croydon presents an exhibition of pictures of the works of the artist Evacustes Phipson who made watercolour sketches of buildings in Croydon from 1893 to c.1928. 

Phipson’s paintings are of importance for showing buildings early in the twentieth century when Croydon was undergoing considerable change.  Due to his particular interest in ancient architecture many show buildings not captured in surviving photographs of the period, and while many have been lost some remain, often hidden in our townscape.  

Evacustes Phipson was an unusual character and his life story is as interesting as his paintings.  As far as is known, the Croydon collection of the works of this almost unknown, itinerant artist is among the largest, if not the biggest in the world.

This free exhibition will be on show in Croydon Clocktower during August and September 2023. A talk on Phipson and his paintings will be given at least twice.  We plan to give guided tours of the exhibition as well and are looking to provide short, walking tours of Croydon town centre showing the locations of some of the paintings in the historic centre of Croydon.

Exhibition opening times

10am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Talks

• Friday 18 August 2.30pm Activities Room (adjacent to the Research Room), Museum of Croydon, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET
• Saturday 26 August 2.30 pm Croydon Central Library. Level 1, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET

Walks and Talks

Saturday 19 August 2.30pm Meeting point: top of the Clocktower steps (Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET) This walk may divide at Cranmer Road with those interested venturing up Hill Terrace (formerly Dark Hill) and along Duppas Hill Terrace rejoining the track of those who walk along Old Town at Pump Pail via Duppas Hill Lane and returning to Katharine Street via High Street and Park Lane.

Funding Partner

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The largest funder of UK heritage. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

We invest money raised by National Lottery players across the UK, in collaboration with a wide range of statutory bodies, as well as other National Lottery distributors. Our work is made possible thanks to the support of National Lottery players. 

• As The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we distribute National Lottery grants from £3,000 to £10million and over, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK’s heritage. 
• As The Heritage Fund, we distribute funding on behalf of the UK and devolved governments to heritage organisations.
• We provide leadership and support across the heritage sector, and advocate for the value of heritage.

Since we were established in 1994, we have awarded £8.8billion of National Lottery and other funding to more than 51,000 projects across the UK.