Memorabilia from Leavesden Hospital and Abbots Langley is now on display at a local museum for the very first time.

The hexagon of history opened at the Three Rivers Museum on Tuesday displaying treasures from Leavesden Hospital, St Pancras Orphanage, the Canadian hospital, Leavesden Aerodrome and the Abbots Langley parish since 1084.

Collections of photos and items date back to 1870 when Leavesden Hospital first opened, including a wage payment ledger book and stewards report book, which recollected daily activities at the asylum.

One anecdote on show and listed in the report book details the death of asylum patient Caroline Ansell who was poisoned by a slice of cake made by her sister, Mary.

Martin Brooks, chairman of the Leavesden hospital history association, built up the collection of memorabilia, as people approached him with items while he was working as a park ranger of Leavesden Country Park.

Mr Brooks said: "People would often come up to me with things they had found that belonged to their grandparents.

"It is like a dream come true - finally the items I have been collecting in my house can now be on show.

"It is so rewarding after four years of trying to get the memorabilia safely and permanently on show, it has finally happened. "

There is also an exhibition which recollects Abbots Langley parish from 1084.

Details and photos of key places include Bedmond Church in 1880, St Lawrence Church in the 13th century, The Manor House, Hazelwood House in 1811, Langleybury House, Ovaltine Farm in the 1930s, Langley House in 1759, Breakspeare Farm, and Leavesden Studios.

Mr Brooks said: "People can now come to Three Rivers Museum and see things that maybe their grandparents owned or would have experienced.

"This is the first time that something has ever happened like this and it is a real pleasure to see it all up.

"It is a hexagon of history in Abbots Langley and it is nice that we are all her at this historic event."

The village exhibition also recites the reasons behind the name of Abbots Langley and details information of Nicholas Breakspear, the first English-born pope born in Breakspear Farm, Bedmond.

Barbara Owen MBE, vice chairman of the museum said she was delighted to welcome the history of Abbots Langley into the museum, in Basing House.

She said: "This is our ancient history.

"We used to talk about the history of Leavesden Hospital and how important it was to have a display.

"Martin brought the collection to us and we were so interested and delighted to put it up. Three Rivers Museum is open to all areas in Three Rivers and it is great we finally have Abbots Langley on display.

"We want to encourage other areas in Three Rivers to display their history because we aim to be inclusive and it would be wonderful to expand our museum."

Members of the public who wish to donate memorabilia or items from Leavesden Hospital and Abbots Langley should contact the museum on 01923 775 882 or email info@trmt.org.uk.