It was thought that these houses would last about 10 to 15 years compared to the lifespan of traditional-built housing. However, many today still stand and are in use.
Unfortunately, most are threatened with demolition, to be replaced by modern dwellings. Some think that the new housing won’t be as durable as the old prefabs.
According to the Huffington Post, a museum was organized in by Elisabeth Blanchet at Excalibur Prefab Estate in Catford, Lewisham. Someone agreed to lend her an empty prefab so she could create a museum to celebrate life in those dwellings.
“Many people were delighted at the thought of having a museum to preserve some of their happy memories of living in the prefabs,” Blanchet said. “The word spread, and people came from far and wide with donations and memories.”
The empty prefab quickly filled with prints, photographs, maps, hand-drawn pictures, vintage china, and curious neighbors who stopped in for a cup of tea and to reminisce about life on the prefab estate.
One gentleman, who had lived nearby in his prefab for the past 30 years, lent the museum a 1950s radio that still worked.
Before long, visitor numbers passed 5000, and Lewisham Council became interested in the museum. The tenancy was extended until 2017.
Unfortunately, a fire in the museum forced Blanchet to shut the museum doors.
There is still interest in having a museum, so Blanchet is looking for a new location. Know anyone in England with a post-WWII prefab to lend?
Meanwhile, Blanchet is currently launching her new book that covers this history, entitled Prefab Homes.
Preserving this prefab-ulous past reminds us of domestic modular home enthusiast/author Sheri Koones, This prefab British museum sparks thoughts of the RV MH Hall of Fame found in Elkhart, IN. To learn more about the evergrowing and improving RV MH Hall of Fame, click here.
Factory-built housing history is important to celebrate on both sides of the pond. ##
(Photo credit: Prefab Museum UK, Huffington Post)
