The Jill Grey Collection of Educational Memorabilia

Around 1950, a Hitchin woman, Mrs Jill Grey, began collecting the ordinary and everyday items relating to the education of children from the 17th. century to the present day. She was inspired by finding a rare book in a box of junk purchased from a Stevenage shop. The book was Sarah Fielding's The Governess published in 1749 and now recognised as the first novel published for children. The Grey copy is a first edition - The British Library has a second edition only. There are thought to be in excess of 18000 books, 1000 postcards and certificates plus some thousands of photographs and a huge quantity of classroom and playground equipment. Altogether about 35000 items. The Grey Collection ranks with Mr & Mrs Renier's now at The Victoria & Albert Museum (Bethnal Green) but not displayed due to lack of space, and Peter and Iona Opie's currently being catalogued at The Bodleian Library. Mrs Grey lived in a medium size semi-detached house in Hitchin which she filled from top to bottom with her collection. She lived in part of the kitchen and slept on half of her bed, there was a box on each step of the staircase. In 1977 she was given permission to exhibit a part of her collection at The British Schools. Some items were shown in the Edwardian classrooms and some desks were placed in the galleried classroom. Mrs Grey received visitors from home and overseas and many school parties came. Jill Grey was a noted authority on her subject, academics and educationalists sought her advice, Mrs Opie was among her admirers. In 1975 Jill Grey, who alone at the time recognised the importance of the British School buildings, persuaded English Heritage to list the entire site Grade 2. In 1987 she died and the collection was bequeathed to North Hertfordshire District Council who have been unable to display it and have given it to The Hitchin British Schools Trust. When the British Schools buildings have been restored the Jill Grey Collection will be housed in the Girls School for the benefit of students, researches and all those interested in the history of education and of childhood.