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Britain since 1948 for Teachers

This downloadable resource is intended to enhance your trip with pre- and post-visit activities but can also be used independently in the classroom.

You may wish to visit the museum to enjoy one of our facilitated sessions, where students will have the opportunity to see and compare three period rooms from the 1930s, 1955-65 and the 1990s. Students will also be able to touch original high quality artefacts from our handling collection.

The following themes have been chosen so that you and your students can use them to explore the Geffrye Museum’s collection further, following the visit.

  • Communications and Entertainment
  • Domestic Housework
  • Heating, Lighting and Electricity
  • Style and Materials
  • Furniture and Design


Please download the pdf document Britain Since 1948 for Teachers for activities, information and worksheets relating to the three period rooms.

Click the thumbnails below to access printable A4 images.

 Image Resource Bank
Fig A - Small period living room, 1930s Fig B - 'Open-plan' living room, 1955-65 Fig C - Converted 'loft-style' studio apartment, 1990s
Fig D - The Geffrye Museum Fig E - Pullman Court, Streatham, 1936 Fig F - 'Span House', Twickenham, 1960
Fig G - Converted warehouse, Islington, 1994 Fig H - Wireless, c1936 Fig I - Bakelite telephone, c1929
Fig J - Portable radio, c1958 Fig K - Telephone, c1963 Fig L - CD player, c1998
Fig M - Cordless Ansafone, c1999 Fig N - Hoover, 1950s Fig O - Crumb Sweeper, 1930s
Fig P - 'Henry Hoover', 1990s Fig Q - Fireplace (replica), 1930s Fig R - Electric bar heater, c1954
Fig S - Industrial aesthetic radiator, c1998 Fig T - Chrome and glass centre light, 1930s Fig U - Hanging light, c1955
Fig V - Spotlight, 1990s Fig W - Dining room chair, c1934 Fig X - 'Flipper' table in glass and chrome, designed by Matthew Hilton, c1988
Fig Y - Balzac chair designed by Matthew Hilton, c1991 Fig Z - Dining room chair, c1949