Stephens House & Gardens

We store our archives and hold many of our meetings at Stephens House (formerly known as Avenue House). You can find more information on the House and its Gardens here.

We also maintain the Stephens Collection there. Henry “Inky” Stephens bought Avenue House in 1874, altered and extended it, adding, among other things, a laboratory, where he carried out his experiments in writing fluid. Over the years many old writing implements, ink, etc. have been collected and now a small museum has been created in Avenue House, displaying these artefacts. There are also items relating to the Stephens family. The museum has received a commendation from the Writing History Society.

The museum is open to the public between 2 and 4.30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

You can find more information on the Stephens Collection and “Inky” Stephens at the collection’s website.