Proud Past
Letchworth was created as the world's first Garden City from the vision of inventor and social reformer, Ebenezer Howard. Fundamentally, Howard’s notion of a ‘Garden City’ was a community that combined all the positive elements of town and country living. This aspect of his thinking was succinctly expressed in the diagram ‘the three magnets’.
Three Magnets
As part of Letchworth’s Centenary celebrations in 2003, his seminal text ‘Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform’ was republished with commentaries from three prominent urban historians Peter Hall, Dennis Hardy and Colin Ward. This book is available online from the Town & Country Planning Association website or in person at Letchworth Garden City Tourist Information Centre, 33-35 Station Road, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3BB 01462 487868.
Bright Future
There have been many books and articles written about Howard and the development of Garden Cities. Dr Mervyn Miller, the world’s leading expert on the early Garden City, is the author the definitive text on Letchworth Garden City. His book ‘Letchworth: The First Garden City’, republished in 2002, charts the development of the town from the early pioneer period right up to the present day. Copies of the book are available online from www.phillimore.co.uk or in person at the Letchworth Garden City Tourist Information Centre, 33-35 Station Road, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3BB 01462 487868. Further information on Dr Miller can be found at www.mervynmiller.co.uk
The First Garden City Heritage Museum, a charitable enterprise of the Heritage Foundation, exists to provide and promote information on Howard, Garden Cities and Letchworth. A visit to its permanent and temporary exhibitions is highly recommended.
First Garden City Heritage Museum
296 Norton Way South,
Letchworth Garden City,
Hertfordshire
SG6 1SU
Tel: 01462 482710
Internet: www.letchworthgc.com
In addition, Letchworth Garden City also enjoys a number of websites published by residents. These contain useful information. The best examples can be found at:
Vivienne & John Birch’s www.angelfire.com/nb/letchworth/
Andrew Miller’s www.letchworthgardencity.net
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