Alexandra Palace brief history

Brief History

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Our Aims

:: Stop any sale of a long leasehold interest of the Palace that's not for charitable purposes. The 1900 Alexandra Park and Palace Act provided that both Palace and park be held on trust "for the free use and recreation of the public for ever"

:: Safeguard the studios and the mast which pioneered the world's first high-definition television broadcasts and preserve the outline of the original studios A and B. Preserve and maintain the Palace's Victorian theatre and famous Willis organ. Protect public access to all of these and promote them as visitor attractions.

:: Reconstitute AP's trustees back to representatives of the whole of London and of the nation, capable of and interested in maintaining the Palace and Park for public use under its trusts (e.g. north London boroughs, The GLA, English Heritage, BBC, The Arts Council; individuals who have experience in community, heritage and educational areas.

The Palace is a unique national public asset and should be cherished as such.

The restoration of Alexandra Palace
after the 1980 fire

A Hornsey Historical society lecture By Richard Loren
14.11.07 | filmed and produced by SaveAllyPally.com

55 min 35 sec | For larger screen click on the google link

Milestones

1858-9 Prospectus and plans published by Owen Jones for a Muswell Hill rival of the successful Crystal Palace, to be called the Palace of the People. Idea is backed by famous educationalist Lord Brougham

1873 First Alexandra Palace opens First fire at Alexandra Palace 16 days after opening.

1875 Second Alexandra Palace opens.

1889 Alexandra Palace closed due to financial problems - 200 acres of parkland sold to repay debt.

1900 Park & Palace acquired for the people for free access for ever. Placed in the hands of Trustees from various north London councils.

1914 Palace closed to public at outbreak of war. Requisitioned by Govt

1935 BBC signs lease for South East wing.

1936 BBC starts television from Alexandra Palace - it’s the world’s first regular high definition television service

1937 BBC adopts EMI Marconi system.

1939-45 TV shuts down at AP at outbreak of war. Mast successfully used to deflect directional beams of German bombers; many lives saved

1955 First broadcast by BBC Television News from Alexandra Palace. Studios now used for main BBC news, and experimental colour broadcasts

1967 High Court confirms transfer to GLC is legal, but that Palace and Park are held on trust and must be used wholly for charitable purposes

1971 Open University television service opens at Alexandra Palace.

1980 Haringey Council takes over Alexandra Palace from GLC for £1, with £8.5million dowry for outstanding repair works.

1980 The Palace suffers 2nd major fire.

Alexandra Palace Fire10.7.80
446KB (25 secs)

1980-85 Plans developed to rebuild the Palace as a state-of-the-art exhibition centre. Rebuilding work commences.

1981 Alexandra Palace and Park Charity formally registered.

1986 50th anniversary of BBC Television – celebrations staged in Studio A.

1990 Formation of the Alexandra Palace Television Trust to create a TV Museum.

1996 Dept of National Heritage confers Grade II listed status on Alexandra Palace