The Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner is currently hosting a compelling new exhibition celebrating the versatile career of Mary V. Wheelhouse. Running until March 24, 2026, the display highlights her multifaceted life as a successful illustrator, wooden toymaker, and dedicated activist for women’s suffrage.
Assistant curator Hannah Whyte describes Wheelhouse as a “multi-talented artist” of the early 20th century. She was widely recognized for her delicate watercolor and pen and ink illustrations, often for books written by women. Notable works on display include her first paid piece for Little Folks Magazine in 1905 and her detailed illustrations for George Eliot’s Silas Marner.
Beyond her publishing success, Wheelhouse co-founded Pomona Toys with fellow suffragette Louise Jacobs. They created fashionable wooden dolls, animals, and elaborate toy theaters that were sold in high end stores like Harrods. Wheelhouse was passionate about making these toys accessible for both play and education.
Her activism is also a central theme of the exhibition. As a member of the Artists’ Suffrage League, Wheelhouse used her wit to create satirical postcards and posters advocating for the vote. One featured postcard depicts a hen escaping a cage while a rooster asks why she cannot rest content, a sharp commentary on the societal constraints of the era.
The exhibition also features a local Pinner suffrage banner from the 1910s, connecting Wheelhouse’s broader work to the local community’s history of daring activism. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a modest £6 entrance fee for adults.
You can find more information about the Heath Robinson Museum on their official website.