Location
The tiles were originally erected in the Young Ward of the Royal Portsmouth Hospital. They are now on display in the north stairwell at Portsmouth City Museum.
The Plaque
Tile Mural
Tile Mural
Inscription
ROYAL PORTSMOUTH HOSPITAL DOULTON CERAMIC TILE MURALS
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE ROYAL PORTSMOUTH HOSPITAL IN 1979, THE PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST HAMPSHIREDISTRICT HEALTH AUTHORITY GENEROUSLY AGREED TO MAKE THE 6 DOULTON CERAMIC TILE MURALS FROM THE CHILDREN'S WARD AVAILABLE TO PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL FREE OF CHARGE FOR MUSEUM PURPOSES.
THEIR REMOVAL AND CONSERVATION, AN EXTREMELY SKILLED AND SPECIALIST TASK, WAS UNDERTAKEN BY STAFF FROM THE JACKFIELD TILE WORKSHOP OF IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST.
REMOVAL OF THE TILES COMMENCED IN APRIL 1981 AND THE WORK OF RESTORATION AND MOUNTING ON PANELS FOR DISPLAY WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN MARCH 1984.
THE RETURN OF THE TILE MURALS TO PORTSMOUTH WAS MARKED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND ARTS COMMITTEE COUNCILLOR MISS WYN SUTCLIFFE ON 27TH APRIL 1984.
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE ROYAL PORTSMOUTH HOSPITAL IN 1979, THE PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST HAMPSHIREDISTRICT HEALTH AUTHORITY GENEROUSLY AGREED TO MAKE THE 6 DOULTON CERAMIC TILE MURALS FROM THE CHILDREN'S WARD AVAILABLE TO PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL FREE OF CHARGE FOR MUSEUM PURPOSES.
THEIR REMOVAL AND CONSERVATION, AN EXTREMELY SKILLED AND SPECIALIST TASK, WAS UNDERTAKEN BY STAFF FROM THE JACKFIELD TILE WORKSHOP OF IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST.
REMOVAL OF THE TILES COMMENCED IN APRIL 1981 AND THE WORK OF RESTORATION AND MOUNTING ON PANELS FOR DISPLAY WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN MARCH 1984.
THE RETURN OF THE TILE MURALS TO PORTSMOUTH WAS MARKED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND ARTS COMMITTEE COUNCILLOR MISS WYN SUTCLIFFE ON 27TH APRIL 1984.
Further Information
The two Children's Wards, named 'Young' and 'Edward and Mary', were opened by Princess Helena Victoria in 1909. In the Young Ward three murals made of Doulton tiles and depicting biblical scenes were displayed from the outset and another three, featuring Nursery Rhymes were added in 1932.
[Photography courtesy of Portsmouth City Museum and Records Office]
