Harpenden Collection

National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden - Aerial view
National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. Aerial view

Harpenden High Street early 1900s

NCH Home, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
An aerial view of the National Childrens Home site at Harpenden. The home comprised a number of cottage homes arranged round a central green. Date: 1930s

Laundry at National Childrens Home, Harpenden, Herts
Girls iron and fold clean washing in the laundry at the National Childrens Home, Harpenden, Hertfordshire

ST GEORGEs SCHOOL 1930S
St Georges School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Bakery
Boys at work in the bakery at the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. Bread is coming out of the oven and a trolley is stacked with loaves. Date: Date unknown

Station Road, Harpenden, early 1900s

High Street, Harpenden, early 1900s

Harpenden Station Road early 1900s

Harpenden Railway Station Nickey Line

Harpenden Railway Station early 1900s

NCH Home, Harpenden - Human Pyramid
Children make a human pyramid at the National Children's Home, Harpenden, Hertfordshire

County Map of Hertfordshire, c. 1777
From The Large English Atlas: or, a new set of map of all the counties of England and Wales drawn from the several surveys which have been hitherto been published

National Childrens Home, Harpenden
Children in the open-air school at the sanatorium of the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Date: Date unknown

The Maple Almshouses and Convalescent Home at Harpenden (litho)
1597561 The Maple Almshouses and Convalescent Home at Harpenden (litho) by Oakley, Harold (1869-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Maple Almshouses and Convalescent Home at Harpenden)

St Albans AL5 5 Map
Postcode Sector Map of St Albans AL5 5

St Albans AL5 2 Map
Postcode Sector Map of St Albans AL5 2

Tallulah Bankhead in The Green Hat
Scene from the stage adaptation of Michael Arlens novel, The Green Hat at the Adelphi Theatre in 1924. The lead role of Iris was played by Tallulah Bankhead (seen right)

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Shoemaking
Boys making and repairing shoes and boots at the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. Date: Date unknown

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Laundry Work
Some of the older girls engaged in ironing and folding in the laundry at the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Date: Date unknown

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Children
A group of children at the National Childrens Home, Harpenden. One of the childrens cottages stands behind. Date: Date unknown

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Carpentry
Boys at work in the carpenters workshop at the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. One boy is repairing a table. Date: Date unknown

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Sanatorium
Sanatorium balcony at the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. A girl holds a doll. Behind her are beds placed in the open air. Date: Date unknown

National Childrens Home, Harpenden - Dispensary
A nurse provides medical attention to an inmate of the National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. The room contains medical equipment, an adjustable chair and jars of chemical solutions

Sanatorium at National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden, Her
View of Sanatorium at National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. Children play in the grounds, one with a pram. Date: early 1900s

Sewing Room at National Childrens Home, Harpenden, Herts
Girls in the sewing room at the National Childrens Home, Harpenden. Some sew by hand, others use sewing machines

National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden - Boys Wing
National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. Boys Houses

National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden - The London Choir
National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. The Homes choir, still known as the London Choir - reflecting the Homes previous location in Bethnal Green

National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden - Chapel Window
National Childrens Home (NCH), Harpenden. The west window of the Homes chapel, designed by Frank O. Salisbury and gifted by Sir Charles C. Wakefield

National Childrens Home, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
National Childrens Home, Harpenden, near St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Showing Patients at Exercise - The Sanatorium Date: 1900s

Boys Repair Boots at the NCH Childrens Home, Harpenden, Her
Boys in aprons repairing boots in a workshop at the National Childrens Home in Harpenden. Date: Date unknown

NCH Home, Harpenden Girls Houses
Girls in front of a block of girls houses at the National Childrens Home, Harpenden Date: Circa 1918

NCH Home, Harpenden Family Group
A home family group at the National Childrens Home, Harpenden Date: Date unknown

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Harpenden, a quaint town nestled in Hertfordshire, holds a rich history that is beautifully captured in these captivating images. The National Children's Home (NCH) stands as a testament to the town's dedication to caring for its youth. From an aerial view, one can appreciate the vastness of this institution and the impact it has had on countless lives. Within the NCH Home lies a bustling laundry facility, where diligent workers ensure that every garment is cleaned with care. The sight of clothes hanging from lines evokes memories of simpler times when hard work was valued above all else. Next door, the aroma of freshly baked goods wafts through the air from the NCH bakery. This establishment not only provided sustenance but also served as a symbol of comfort and warmth for those within its walls. Moving away from NCH, we catch a glimpse into St George's School during the 1930s. Young minds filled classrooms eager to learn and grow under nurturing guidance. These students would go on to shape Harpenden's future. Stepping back further in time, Station Road and High Street transport us to early 1900s Harpenden. The hustle and bustle of daily life are evident as people traverse these streets lined with charming shops and businesses. Harpenden Railway Station takes center stage in another image; it serves as both an entry point for visitors and an escape route for locals seeking new adventures along Nickey Line. Trains chug along tracks connecting Harpenden with neighboring towns while carrying dreams and aspirations within their carriages. These snapshots offer glimpses into Harpenden's past—a tapestry woven together by community spirit, compassion for children at NCH, education at St George's School, commerce along Station Road and High Street—all connected by railway lines leading towards endless possibilities beyond this idyllic town.