This film is part of Free

The Palm House at Kew

Absorbing official film by the Ministry of Works showing the careful restoration of the corroded 1848 Palm House in Kew Gardens in 1956.

Documentary 1957 22 mins

From the collection of:

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Overview

The Palm House in Kew Botanical Gardens was built in 1848 but by the 1950s the iron structure was in poor condition because of bomb damage, humidity and use of insecticides. The building was closed to the public. This film show the careful restoration of the Palm House, with much technical information and attention to detail. Includes excellent shots of the damaged iron structure before restoration, as well as the work in progress and triumphant reopening.