What is the current name of the museum and what was its previous name?

The museum is currently known as the London Museum. It was previously called the Museum of London from 1976 to 2024. This name change and rebranding occurred in advance of its planned relocation.

What is the primary focus of the London Museum's collection?

The London Museum's collection covers the history of the city from prehistoric to modern times, with a particular emphasis on social history. It aims to tell the story of London and its inhabitants throughout various eras.

When was the Museum of London originally formed and from what predecessor institutions?

The Museum of London was formed in 1976 by combining the collections previously held by the City Corporation at the Guildhall Museum, which was founded in 1826, and the London Museum, which was founded in 1911.

Where was the main site of the Museum of London from 1976 to 2022?

From 1976 to 2022, the main site of the Museum of London was located in the City of London on London Wall, situated close to the Barbican Centre, which is part of a larger complex of buildings developed in the 1960s and 1970s.

What were the main reasons for the museum's proposed move to the Smithfield site?

The proposed move to the General Market Building at the Smithfield site was driven by the claim that the London Wall location was difficult for visitors to find. Additionally, the move would allow for an expansion from 17,000 square meters to 27,000 square meters, enabling a greater proportion of the museum's extensive collection to be displayed.

When did the museum close its London Wall site and when is it anticipated to reopen at Smithfield Market?

The museum permanently closed its site at London Wall in December 2022, in preparation for its reopening in 2026 at Smithfield Market. This transition marks a significant new chapter for the institution.

What is the total size of the London Museum's urban history collection?

The London Museum boasts the largest urban history collection in the world, encompassing more than six million objects. This vast collection provides a comprehensive look at the city's past.

Can you name some notable archaeological materials included in the museum's collections?

Notable archaeological materials in the museum's collections include flint handaxes from the prehistoric Thames Valley, marble statues from a Roman temple known as the London Mithraeum, and a significant cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewelry called the Cheapside Hoard. These artifacts offer insights into different periods of London's history.

What types of modern objects does the museum actively collect?

The museum's modern collections are diverse, including decorative objects, clothing and costumes, paintings, prints and drawings, social history items, and oral histories. It also continues to collect contemporary objects, such as a section of the Whitechapel fatberg and the Trump baby blimp, reflecting recent events and cultural phenomena.

What other locations are part of the London Museum group?

The London Museum is part of a group that also includes two other locations: the London Museum Docklands, which is situated in West India Quay and remains open to the public, and the Museum of London Archaeological Archive, which is based at Mortimer Wheeler House.

Who is the current director of the London Museum?

The current director of the London Museum is Sharon Ament. She has held this position since September 2012.

What was the origin of the Guildhall Museum and when was it founded?

The Guildhall Museum, one of the two museums that merged to form the Museum of London, was founded in 1826 by the City of London Corporation. Its establishment followed the gift of a Roman mosaic from Tower Street, intended to create a suitable place for antiquities related to the City of London and its suburbs.

What was the primary focus of the Guildhall Museum's collection?

The Guildhall Museum primarily focused on archaeological remains discovered within the city and objects connected to the City of London Corporation. It was particularly noted for its strong collection of Roman artifacts.

Where was the London Museum originally based when it was founded in 1911?

The London Museum, founded in 1911 by Viscount Esher and Lewis Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt, was initially based in the State Apartments of Kensington Palace. It opened to the public on April 8, 1912.

Who were the key figures in the founding of the London Museum and its early leadership?

The London Museum was founded by Viscount Esher and Lewis Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt. Lewis Harcourt became the first Commissioner of Works, and Guy Francis Laking served as the first Keeper of the museum.

When did the London Museum achieve National Museum status?

The London Museum was designated a National Museum in 1913, a significant recognition of its importance and scope.

Where did the London Museum relocate in 1914, and who made this possible?

In 1914, the London Museum relocated to Lancaster House, which had been acquired by William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, a prominent soap magnate and founder of Port Sunlight, and subsequently donated to the nation to house the museum.

How was the visitor experience structured at the London Museum in Lancaster House?

At Lancaster House, visitors followed a mostly chronological route, progressing through rooms dedicated to different historical periods, such as the Prehistoric Room, Roman Room, Saxon and Early Norman Gallery, Mediaeval Room, and a Jewellery Room, before ascending to the upper floor for Tudor, Early Seventeenth Century, Late Seventeenth Century, Porcelain, Late Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century, and Costume galleries.

What unique exhibits were housed in the basement of the London Museum at Lancaster House?

The basement of the London Museum at Lancaster House contained various exhibits from all eras, including larger items that could not fit in the main galleries. These included a Roman boat, a carriage belonging to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, a parlour decorated in the Stuart style, and prison cells.

Who first proposed the merger of the London Museum with the Guildhall Museum, and when did serious discussions begin?

Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who served as the Keeper of the London Museum from 1926 to 1944, first proposed merging the London Museum with the Guildhall Museum as early as 1927. However, serious consideration for this merger only began after both museums were forced to close during World War II.

What was the purpose and outcome of the Museum of London Act 1965?

The Museum of London Act 1965 was an Act of Parliament passed to formally establish a Board of Governors for the Museum of London, transfer the collections of the London Museum and the Guildhall Museum to this new entity, and define the Board's responsibilities. This act provided the legal framework for the merger and the creation of the new museum.

Who designed the new Museum of London building at London Wall, and what was notable about its layout?

The new Museum of London building at the corner of London Wall and Aldersgate Street was designed by architects Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya. They adopted an innovative approach to museum design, creating a single, chronological route through the galleries, guiding visitors from the prehistoric period to modern times.

When and by whom was the Museum of London at London Wall officially opened?

The Museum of London at London Wall was officially opened in December 1976 by Queen Elizabeth II. It was inaugurated as a component of the Barbican Estate, a major urban redevelopment project.

What significant redevelopment project was completed at the Museum of London in May 2010?

In May 2010, a £20 million redevelopment project called the 'Galleries of Modern London' was completed. This was the museum's largest investment since its opening in 1976 and involved redesigning the entire lower floor of the main galleries to cover the period from the 1670s to the present day.

Can you name some of the prominent exhibits featured in the 'Galleries of Modern London'?

The 'Galleries of Modern London' showcased approximately 7,000 objects, with star exhibits including a mummified cat, a 1928 Art Deco lift from the Selfridges department store on Oxford Street, and a complete 18th-century debtors' prison cell covered in graffiti. These items offered a glimpse into various aspects of London's modern history.

What were the four new galleries introduced as part of the 'Galleries of Modern London' redevelopment?

The four new galleries introduced were the 'Expanding City,' covering the period from 1670 to 1850; 'People's City,' addressing 1850 to the 1940s; 'World City,' featuring objects from the 1950s to the present day; and the 'City Gallery,' which prominently displayed the Lord Mayor of London's State Coach.

What unique features did the 'People's City' gallery include?

The 'People's City' gallery featured a 'Victorian Walk' that displayed actual office and shop frontages and interiors. It also included objects related to the suffragette movement and pages from Charles Booth's 1888 'poverty map,' which color-coded London's streets based on the wealth of their inhabitants.

What significant Olympic artifact was put on display at the museum starting in 2014?

Starting in 2014, the museum displayed the cauldron from the 2012 Summer Olympics. This iconic artifact was composed of 204 steel stems, each topped with a copper 'petal,' designed to be raised or lowered to form various configurations, ultimately creating the shape of a cauldron.

Who were the architectural firms chosen to design the new London Museum building at Smithfield?

Stanton Williams and Asif Khan were selected as the final architects to design the new London Museum building at the Smithfield site. Their design was chosen after a competition involving over 70 firms.

What innovative feature was considered for the new Smithfield site regarding the Thameslink train line?

An early plan for the new Smithfield site included the creation of a see-through section of the Thameslink train tunnel. This feature would allow commuters to catch a glimpse inside the museum while passing by, and visitors to observe the trains.

What historical London event is being considered for revival at the new Smithfield museum site?

One idea for the new museum at Smithfield is to revive the ancient St Bartholomew's Fair. This fair historically took place on the site regularly during the medieval period until authorities shut it down in 1855.

What unexpected discovery was made underneath the new Smithfield site in August 2022?

In August 2022, a previously unknown freshwater spring was discovered underneath the new Smithfield site. Tests confirmed that the water was safe to drink, and the museum director expressed hope that visitors would be able to fill their water bottles from it.

What are the current plans for the former London Wall site once the museum vacates it?

Once the museum vacates the London Wall site, it will revert to the City of London Corporation. Plans were revealed in 2019 to use the site for a London Centre For Music, but in 2022, the Corporation submitted plans to demolish the building, including the Bastion House office block above, and replace it with a 780,000 sq. ft office block, citing structural issues and poor energy performance.

What is the significance of the Havering Hoard in the museum's prehistoric collection?

The Havering Hoard is a significant part of the museum's prehistoric collection, recognized as the largest Bronze Age hoard discovered in London and the third-largest of its kind in the UK. It consists of 453 bronze objects, such as axe heads, spearheads, and knives, dating from 900 to 800 BCE, most of which were found broken or damaged and carefully buried.

What are some notable features of the museum's Roman collection?

The museum's Roman collection, comprising over 47,000 objects, is notable for including the UK's largest collection of terra sigillata (samianware). It also features entire wall paintings, floors like the Bucklersbury Mosaic, various metalwork such as hipposandals and jewelry, and four unique leather 'bikini bottoms,' possibly worn by female acrobats.

How was the Roman temple to Mithras discovered, and where are its artifacts now housed?

A Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras was discovered in the City of London in September 1954. The excavation, led by W. F. Grimes, attracted approximately 400,000 public visitors. While the building stones of the temple have been reconstructed on their original site at the London Mithraeum, the marble carvings found inside are now part of the London Museum's collections.

What types of objects are prominent in the museum's medieval collection?

The museum's medieval collection includes approximately 12,000 objects, with 700 pieces from the Saxon period. A particularly prominent feature is its collection of over 1,350 pewter pilgrim badges, which offer insight into medieval religious practices and travel.

What is the Cheapside Hoard, and how has its permanent display at the new museum been ensured?

The Cheapside Hoard is a renowned collection of almost 500 Tudor and Jacobean jewelry pieces, discovered in 1912 on Cheapside in the City of London. Its permanent display at the new museum site in West Smithfield has been secured through a generous £10 million donation from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

What types of London manufacturing and trades are represented in the museum's collections?

The museum's collections demonstrate London's manufacturing prowess, featuring pieces from manufacturers like James Powell and Sons (Whitefriars Glass) and Martin Brothers. It also includes objects related to various trades such as clockmaking, coopering, silk-weaving, engraving, and silversmithing, showcasing the city's industrial and artisanal heritage.

What significant archives are held by the museum related to social and working history?

The museum holds several significant archives related to social and working history, including an internationally important collection of suffragette material largely from the Women's Social and Political Union, the archives of the Whitefriars Glassworks, papers concerning Kibbo Kift, and substantial material related to London's port and the River Thames. Additionally, it houses the archives of the Port of London Authority and the Sainsbury's supermarket chain.

How did the museum engage with the public to collect sentiment during the 2012 London Summer Olympics?

During the 2012 London Summer Olympics, the Museum of London actively collected tweets using the hashtag #citizencurators. This initiative gathered public reactions and contributions from a select group of 18 individuals across the city, capturing real-time historical perspectives.

What unusual contemporary object related to a political figure was acquired by the museum in 2021?

In January 2021, the museum acquired a giant inflatable blimp, 6 meters high, depicting former US President Donald Trump as a baby. This blimp, designed by Matt Bonner, was used to protest Trump's visit to the UK in 2018 and has been flown globally.

How did the museum respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of collecting historical objects and narratives?

In April 2020, the museum initiated a 'Collecting Covid' project, soliciting donations of objects and oral histories related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This included items such as an illuminated NHS sign from London Zoo, soundscapes of deserted London streets, and Arsenal football player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Black Lives Matter shirt.

What unique oral histories were collected by the museum during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum collected unique oral histories, including thousands of messages from a WhatsApp group of five Muslim women in West London sharing their reflections on celebrating Ramadan during lockdown. It also acquired thirteen tweets made by Londoners during lockdown and asked volunteers to describe their 'pandemic dreams' to document the psychological impact of the period.

What recent archaeological reconstruction was completed by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)?

On June 17, 2025, Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) completed the meticulous reconstruction of a fully intact Roman fresco. This artwork, originally from a high-status building in Southwark and dating to before AD 200, features rare yellow-panel designs depicting birds, fruit, flowers, and lyres, along with preserved graffiti, making it one of the largest Roman wall plaster artworks found in London.

What is the size of the museum's dress and textiles collection, and what is its historical significance?

The museum's dress and textiles collection comprises 23,000 pieces. It holds historical significance as the London Museum was the first British museum to publish a catalogue of its costume collection, doing so in 1933. This collection provides a detailed record of fashion and textile history.

Which notable fashion designers and historical figures are represented in the costume collection?

The costume collection features pieces by renowned designers such as Lucile, Hardy Amies, Norman Hartnell, Victor Stiebel, Mary Quant, Katharine Hamnett, and Vivienne Westwood. It also includes several items of royal clothing, such as a shirt believed to have belonged to Charles I, and numerous theatrical, ballet, circus, music hall, and opera costumes.

What types of art and photography are included in the museum's collections?

The museum's art and photography collections are extensive, holding over 100,000 paintings, prints, and drawings, with works by artists like Wenceslaus Hollar and Canaletto, portraits of London figures, and panoramas such as the Rhinebeck Panorama. Its photography collection, numbering around 150,000 images, focuses on everyday life in London, featuring early examples by Henry Fox Talbot and works by Bill Brandt and Christina Broom.

What is the 'Rhinebeck Panorama' in the museum's art collection?

The 'Rhinebeck Panorama' is a significant piece in the museum's art collection, described as an 180-degree aerial view of London. Created around 1806, it depicts the city looking west from the location where Tower Bridge stands today, offering a unique historical perspective of London's landscape.

What is the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), and what is its current organizational status?

The Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) is an archaeology and built heritage practice that originated as part of the Museum of London. It became an independent charity in November 2011, regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and employs 310 staff, working across the UK and internationally from its base in Shoreditch.

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What is the London Museum?

A Repository of Urban History

The London Museum, formerly known as the Museum of London from 1976 to 2024, serves as a pivotal institution dedicated to chronicling the extensive history of London. Its mandate encompasses the city's narrative from its prehistoric origins through to contemporary times, with a pronounced emphasis on the social history of its inhabitants. Established in December 1976, the museum was formed through the strategic amalgamation of two significant predecessor institutions: the Guildhall Museum and the original London Museum.

Evolution and Relocation

Initially situated in the City of London on London Wall, adjacent to the Barbican Centre, the museum occupied a site integral to the post-war redevelopment of a bomb-damaged area. However, in 2015, plans were unveiled for a significant relocation to the Smithfield General Market. This move, driven by challenges in visitor accessibility at the former site and the ambition to expand exhibition space from 17,000 to 27,000 square meters, aims to showcase a larger proportion of its extensive collection. The London Wall site officially closed in December 2022, with the new Smithfield location anticipated to open in 2026, coinciding with its rebranding as the "London Museum."

The World's Largest Urban Collection

Boasting the largest urban history collection globally, the London Museum houses an impressive repository of over seven million objects. This vast collection spans archaeological artifacts, such as prehistoric flint handaxes and Roman marble statues from the London Mithraeum, to significant Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery like the Cheapside Hoard. Modern acquisitions include diverse items ranging from decorative objects and historical costumes to contemporary social history artifacts, oral histories, and even unique pieces like the Whitechapel fatberg and the Trump baby blimp, reflecting a continuous engagement with London's evolving narrative.

Historical Trajectory

The Guildhall Museum (1826–1976)

The Guildhall Museum was established in 1826 by the City of London Corporation, initiated by the donation of a Roman mosaic. Its initial purpose was to serve as a repository for antiquities related to the City of London and its environs. Primarily focused on archaeological discoveries and objects linked to the Corporation, it developed a particularly strong collection of Roman artifacts. Initially largely inaccessible to the public, it gained dedicated premises in Basinghall Street in 1872. Following its closure during World War II and a temporary reopening in the Royal Exchange in 1955, discussions for a merger with the London Museum began in earnest in 1960.

The London Museum (1912–1976)

The original London Museum was founded in 1911 by Viscount Esher and Lewis Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt, initially residing in the State Apartments of Kensington Palace and opening to the public in April 1912. It achieved National Museum status in 1913. In 1914, it relocated to Lancaster House, a gift to the nation from William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme. This iteration featured a chronological display, including a Roman boat, the Duke of Wellington's carriage, and a Stuart-style parlour. After closing during World War II, it returned to Kensington Palace in 1951, expanding its displays to include historical shop fronts, prints, theatre memorabilia, glass collections, and royal costumes.

Notable exhibits from this period included:

Sir Richard Garton's collection of 437 pieces of 17th–19th century table glass.
A Print Room with approximately 3,000 watercolours and drawings, and 7,000 prints, featuring works by Hendrick Danckerts, Paul Sandby, and Thomas Rowlandson.
A Theatre room showcasing costumes from figures like Henry Irving and Anna Pavlova, Joseph Grimaldi's clown costume, and David Garrick's death mask.
Multiple coronation robes (1838, 1902, 1911, 1937) and royal clothing, including Queen Victoria's dresses and Princess Margaret's wedding dress.

Amalgamation and the Museum of London (1976–2022)

The vision for merging the London Museum and the Guildhall Museum, first proposed in 1927 by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, materialized in 1960. The Museum of London Act 1965 facilitated this union, leading to the establishment of a new institution jointly funded by the government, the City of London Corporation, and the Greater London Council. The new purpose-built facility, designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, opened in December 1976 at the corner of London Wall and Aldersgate Street. Its innovative design featured a single chronological route through London's history, culminating with the Lord Mayor of London's State Coach.

Significant developments and exhibitions during this period included:

The "Galleries of Modern London" redevelopment (2010), a £20 million investment covering 1670s to the present day, displaying 7,000 objects.
Exhibits such as a mummified cat, a 1928 Art Deco lift from Selfridges, and an 18th-century debtors' prison cell.
Galleries like "Expanding City" (1670–1850), "People's City" (1850–1940s) with a "Victorian Walk," and "World City" (1950s–present) showcasing fashion from Mary Quant to Alexander McQueen.
A dedicated gallery for the 2012 Summer Olympics cauldron (2014), featuring 97 original stems and interviews with creators.

The Future: London Museum at Smithfield (2022–Present)

In 2016, the museum announced its ambitious move to the Smithfield General Market, citing the former London Wall site's difficult accessibility and the need for expanded display space. The new site, designed by Stanton Williams and Asif Khan, is projected to open in 2026 with an estimated cost of £337 million. Plans for the new museum include a transparent section of the Thameslink train tunnel, a revived St Bartholomew's Fair, and spiral escalators leading to underground historical galleries. Discoveries during the development include the remains of a Victorian Temperance Cocoa Room and a previously unknown freshwater spring. The London Wall site closed in December 2022, and the institution officially rebranded as the "London Museum" in July 2024 in anticipation of its grand reopening.

Curated Collections

Pre-Modern Artifacts

The museum's foundational collections span millennia, offering a tangible link to London's earliest inhabitants. With over 13,000 prehistoric objects, highlights include the Havering Hoard, the largest Bronze Age hoard discovered in London, comprising 453 bronze items from 900-800 BCE. The Roman collection is even more extensive, with over 47,000 objects, including the UK's largest collection of terra sigillata, complete wall paintings, and unique items like leather "bikini bottoms." The marble carvings from the London Mithraeum, a Roman temple discovered in 1954, are also a significant part of this collection. The medieval period is represented by approximately 12,000 objects, notably 700 Saxon artifacts and over 1,350 pewter pilgrim badges.

Early Modern & Modern Treasures

The museum's holdings from the early modern and modern periods illuminate London's evolving social and economic landscape. Over 1,500 pieces of Tudor and Stuart cutlery, largely recovered from the Thames, offer insights into daily life. The renowned Cheapside Hoard, a cache of nearly 500 Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery pieces discovered in 1912, is a centerpiece, with a permanent display secured by a £10 million donation from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. The museum also showcases London's manufacturing heritage through items from Whitefriars Glass and Martin Brothers, alongside objects related to trades like clockmaking and silversmithing. Social history is richly documented with shop fronts, food packaging, vehicles, "penny toys," and internationally important suffragette material.

Contemporary Acquisitions

The London Museum actively engages in contemporary collecting, acquiring objects that reflect current events and societal shifts. This includes items connected to national news stories, such as tweets from the 2012 London Summer Olympics and the "Collecting Covid" project, which gathered objects and oral histories related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other notable contemporary acquisitions include a section of the Whitechapel fatberg, the giant inflatable "Trump baby blimp" from 2018 protests, and a Black Lives Matter shirt donated by Arsenal football player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In a significant recent development, Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) completed the reconstruction of a fully intact Roman fresco from Southwark, featuring rare yellow-panel designs and preserved graffiti.

Costume and Textiles

With 23,000 pieces of dress and textiles, the museum boasts a significant costume collection. It was the first British museum to catalogue its costume holdings in 1933. The collection features works by celebrated designers such as Lucile, Hardy Amies, Norman Hartnell, Mary Quant, Katharine Hamnett, and Vivienne Westwood. Royal clothing, including a shirt attributed to Charles I and dresses belonging to Queen Victoria, provides a glimpse into regal fashion. Theatrical, ballet, circus, music hall, and opera costumes further enrich this section. Beyond garments, the collection includes banners and sashes from the female suffrage campaign, the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift, and dockworker trade unions, offering a broad social context to dress and textiles.

Art and Photography

The museum's art and photography collections provide a visual narrative of London through various artistic lenses. Over 100,000 paintings, prints, and drawings include works by Wenceslaus Hollar, Paul Sandby, Canaletto, and Henry Moore. Portraits of influential London figures like Oliver Cromwell and Sylvia Pankhurst are also featured. The Rhinebeck Panorama, an 180-degree aerial view of London from around 1806, offers a unique historical perspective. The photography collection, comprising approximately 150,000 images, documents everyday life in London from as early as 1845, with works by pioneers like Henry Fox Talbot and Roger Fenton. It also includes Bill Brandt's series from World War II air raid shelters, images of the London Underground's construction, and photographs of suffragette protests by Christina Broom.

Notable Exhibitions

A Chronology of Engagement

The London Museum has consistently hosted a diverse array of exhibitions, reflecting its commitment to exploring various facets of the city's history and culture. These temporary displays often delve into specific themes, historical periods, or social movements, complementing the permanent collections and offering fresh perspectives to visitors.

1999: Pride and Prejudice: Lesbian and Gay London
2006: Queer is Here
2006–2007: belonging: Voices of London's Refugees
2010–2011: London Futures
2011–2012: Charles Dickens
2012–2013: Doctors, Dissection and Resurrection Men
2013: Opening The Olympics
2013–2014: The Cheapside Hoard
2014–2015: Sherlock Holmes: The Man Who Never Lived And Will Never Die
2015–2016: The Crime Museum Uncovered
2016–2017: Fire! Fire!
2017–2018: The City Is Ours
2017: Junk
2017: (Un)Common Currency
2018: London Nights
2018: Fatberg!
2018–2019: Disease X: London's Next Epidemic?
2018–2019: Votes For Women
2019–2020: Beasts of London
2019–2020: The Clash: London Calling
2020–2021: Dub London: Bassline of a City
2022: Grime Stories: From the Corner to the Mainstream
2022: Harry Kane: I Want To Play Football

Other Locations

London Museum Docklands

Opened in 2003, the London Museum Docklands is a vital extension of the main museum, housed in a Grade I listed 19th-century warehouse at West India Quay, near Canary Wharf. This site is dedicated to exploring London's rich history as a port, tracing its evolution from a Roman trading post on the Thames 2,000 years ago to its zenith as the world's largest port. A significant permanent gallery, "London, Sugar & Slavery," opened in November 2007, providing an in-depth examination of the capital's complex involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)

The Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) originated as an integral part of the London Museum but transitioned into an independent charity in November 2011. MOLA is a leading archaeology and built heritage practice, employing 310 staff. While based at Mortimer Wheeler House in Shoreditch, its operations extend across the UK and internationally. MOLA plays a crucial role in uncovering and preserving London's archaeological past, with its findings frequently enriching the main museum's collections, such as the recently reconstructed Roman fresco from Southwark.

Governance and Leadership

Joint Control and Funding

Since April 1, 2008, the London Museum and its associated sites, including the London Museum Docklands, have been jointly controlled and funded by two prominent civic bodies: the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority. This collaborative governance model ensures broad support and strategic direction for the institution. Prior to this arrangement, the museum was jointly overseen by the City of London and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, reflecting its status as a significant cultural asset with both local and national importance.

Directorial Leadership

The museum's operations and strategic vision are guided by its Director, a role that has seen a succession of distinguished leaders since the museum's inception. These individuals are instrumental in shaping the museum's collection policies, exhibition programs, and public engagement initiatives, ensuring its continued relevance and impact as a leading institution for urban history.

A list of individuals who have served as Director of the London Museum (and its predecessor, the Museum of London):

1965–1970: Donald Harden (acting)
1972–1977: Tom Hume
1977–1997: Max Hebditch
1997–2002: Simon Thurley
2002–2012: Jack Lohman
September 2012–Present: Sharon Ament

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Chronicles of the Thames

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What is the London Museum? ℹ️

📜 A Repository of Urban History

🏛️ Evolution and Relocation

🌍 The World's Largest Urban Collection

Historical Trajectory ⏳

🏛️ The Guildhall Museum (1826–1976)

👑 The London Museum (1912–1976)

🤝 Amalgamation and the Museum of London (1976–2022)

🏗️ The Future: London Museum at Smithfield (2022–Present)

Curated Collections 🏺

🗿 Pre-Modern Artifacts

💎 Early Modern & Modern Treasures

📰 Contemporary Acquisitions

👗 Costume and Textiles

🖼️ Art and Photography

Notable Exhibitions 🌟

📅 A Chronology of Engagement

Other Locations 📍

🚢 London Museum Docklands

⛏️ Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)

Governance and Leadership 📊

🤝 Joint Control and Funding

👤 Directorial Leadership

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is the London Museum?

A Repository of Urban History

Evolution and Relocation

The World's Largest Urban Collection

Historical Trajectory

The Guildhall Museum (1826–1976)

The London Museum (1912–1976)

Amalgamation and the Museum of London (1976–2022)

The Future: London Museum at Smithfield (2022–Present)

Curated Collections

Pre-Modern Artifacts

Early Modern & Modern Treasures

Contemporary Acquisitions

Costume and Textiles

Art and Photography

Notable Exhibitions

A Chronology of Engagement

Other Locations

London Museum Docklands

Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)

Governance and Leadership

Joint Control and Funding

Directorial Leadership

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice