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Alexandra Palace, London: Internment Camp for Germans

First opened as 鈥淭he People鈥檚 Palace鈥 in 1873, Alexandra Palace was built as a recreation centre for Victorian Londoners.

During World War One, the palace was used as a refugee centre for Belgian refugees before becoming an internment camp for German nationals.

Men of fighting age were held at the camp. The Great Hall became a giant dormitory sleeping approximately one-thousand internees. More internees slept in other areas of the building.

The palace鈥檚 theatre was used for church services and the camp even had its own orchestra.

Artist George Kenner was one of those interned at Alexandra Palace. During his time at the camp he completed dozens of sketches and paintings documenting life as an internee.

Location: Alexandra Palace, Haringey, London N22
Image: George Kenner painting, courtesy of IWM

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