The Layton's Legacy Project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to celebrate the Layton Collection, Thomas Layton who created it, and his importance to Brentford.

This large and unique collection has long been geographically dispersed and much had never been seen by the public before. The project provided exhibitions in Brentford at Kew Steam Museum in 2005 and Gunnersbury Park Museum in 2006, as well as putting on History in the High Street, with displays in shop windows, in 2007. It also produced publications including a new book on Layton and a trail leaflet. This website was also created as part of the project.

Brentford has a diverse community with differing views and experiences of preserving and interpreting history, traditions and collections. The project has involved various members of the Brentford community, and volunteers have helped celebrate this local treasure by assisting with research, and mounting the exhibition. Now the volunteer team is carrying out an audit of the book collection, checking  for misplaced items and identifying books which most urgently need repair or rebinding. In addition the task of listing the prints and maps has begun.

By sponsoring a book or books in the collection, you will be helping to preserve this valuable resource for years to come. All sponsored books have a special bookplate recording the donor; you can choose if you wish to have a book restored in memory of a friend or relative and we try to choose books which are in some way relevant to your or their interests.