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Formal Opening of Froebel Archives

On January 28th 2008 two major Froebel archives were for the first time brought together and opened in a new location – the remodelled Archives and Special Collections floor of the Roehampton University Library in SW London. These together now provide a unique and accessible resource for students and researchers into the history of the Froebel movement in the UK.

The two archives are:

The Froebel Archive for Childhood Studies
and The National Froebel Foundation Archive

The opening ceremony was addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul O'Prey, and a plaque was unveiled by Dr Gillian Collins, a longserving Trustee of the National Froebel Foundation, to Joachim Liebschner in recognition of the instrumental role he played in establishing the Froebel Archive for Childhood Studies.

Joachim Liebschner then gave a personal account of the origins of the Froebel Archive, demonstrating the difference in educational approach between the Montessori apparatus and the Froebel 'gifts' (as he used to do for many years with students), and thanked numerous people for their support over the years.

Please direct all enquiries to the Archivist, Kornelia Cepok, tel. +44 (0) 20 8392 3323

Joachim Liebschner being escorted to the unveiling ceremony by Kornelia Cepok (left) and Kevin Brehony, Professor of Early Childhood Studies (right)

Joachim Liebschner in front of a cabinet containing many of the artefacts which he collected from various places around the world in the 1960s and early 1970s

Joachim Liebschner with Montessori apparatus and Froebel gift no.3 on the table