The William Morris Gallery is a museum devoted to the life and works of William Morris, an English Arts and Crafts designer and early socialist. It is located in Walthamstow at Water House, a substantial Grade II* listed Georgian home. The extensive grounds of the building are a public park, known as Lloyd Park. Collections and exhibits The William Morris Gallery holds the most comprehensive collection of objects relating to all aspects of Morris's life and work, including his work as a designer, a writer and a social activist. The permanent exhibit is divided into 9 rooms: 1. Meet the Man, Morris' early life and background; 2. Starting Out, Morris' early works and his influences including Pre-Raphaelite artists and Art Critic John Ruskin; 3. Morris & Co, the formation and ideal's of Morris' design company; 4. The Workshop, the design and manufacturing techniques championed by Morris; 5. The Shop, an interactive gallery exploring the experience of shopping for Morris' creations in Victorian London; 6. Ideal Book, Morris' foray into printing and book design includes an original printing of Earthly Paradise by William Morris; 7. Fighting for a Cause, Morris' social activism and socialist beliefs; 8. Arts and Crafts, the movement that Morris founded; 9. Frank Brangwyn, works from the student of William Morris. The museum is also used as a learning facility with educational exhibitions from artists such as Eamon Everall of the stuckist movement. History Water House was constructed in 1762 and was Morris' family home in his teenage years from 1848 to 1856. The building and its grounds were sold on to newspaper proprietor Edward Lloyd in 1856, whose son donated the house and grounds (which then became Lloyd Park) to Walthamstow in 1900.The building was not opened as a museum until 1950, by Prime Minister Clement Attlee. In 2007, as a result of cost saving exercises, by owners Waltham Forest Borough Council, the museum's opening hours were cut back to allow staffing to be reduced. This broke a stipulation of gifts by Sir Frank Brangwyn, that works should be on view for a minimum amount of time weekly. And a number of campaigners, including former Culture Secretary Chris Smith, were concerned that this would lead to the museum's closure. Redevelopment In March 2009 the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the gallery £80,000 to enable detailed proposals for redevelopment. In Autumn 2010 this proposal was successful in securing a