The History of the Millfield House Arts Centre

Millfield House was first mentioned in the minutes of the Edmonton Vestry, 4 December 1796, when it belonged to Mr John Wigston of Trent Park. The minutes state that the house had been let to the Imperial Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary of the German Empire.

In 1828 the House was valued at £6,300 following the death, in the house, of Robert Mushett of the Royal Mint.

The house was sold in 1849 to the Strand Union Guardians and used as a school for workhouse children from inner London. Many extensions were added as children arrived until, in 1897, nearly four hundred paupers lived on the site, which was by now, self supporting.

As well as normal schooling, the children were taught trades; the boys learnt tailoring, shoemaking and carpentry and the girls were instructed in housework, needlework and laundering. The school was closed in 1913 and at the beginning of the First World War Belgian refugees became the new inhabitants. In 1915 the buildings were converted into the St David Hospital for Epileptics - this closed in 1971.

Millfield House was acquired by the London Borough of Enfield and after extensive renovation, it was opened as an arts centre in May 1979. Most of the workhouse buildings have since been demolished to make way for the Millfield Theatre, Weir Hall Library, gardens and car parks that make up the Millfield Arts Complex.