The Museum of London showcases the history of the city, including social and trading history. It consists of two museums, one focusing on social history and the other on the city’s history as a trading port. The building is designed to follow a historical timeline, with interactive presentations for all ages. The Museum of London Archeology offers excavation services, and both museums are open seven days a week, with free admission for most exhibits.
The Museum of London highlights the history of the city from prehistoric times through its foundation as a Roman fort to modern times. Two respected British museums, the London Museum and the Guildhall Museum, combined to form the initial collection of the Museum of London after the Second World War, but the museum’s new home did not officially open until 1976. The institution consists of the Museum of London, which focuses primarily on social history and the Museum of London Docklands, which focuses on the city’s history as a trading port. Archeology services are offered by the institution as a separate department.
The architects who designed the new museum chose to design the building so that users follow a single path through the museum that follows the historical timeline of the city. Visitors advance through displays, dioramas, models and images that tell the story of the area. There are interactive presentations for children and adults. For those who want a closer look at a representative cell occupied by incarcerated debtors before learning more about the invention of the miniskirt, the Museum of London offers the opportunity to make a stop that satisfies both desires.
In a separate place, the Museum of London Docklands talks about the importance of the city as a port. The exhibits begin with the arrival of the Romans around AD 61. Accessed via the River Thames, the Romans viewed the area as the natural place to land troops and unload supply ships. In the centuries that followed, London became one of the most important ports in the world. Researchers can find a wealth of information in the Docklands Study Centres.
The Museum of London Archeology conducts excavations and examinations for public and private groups. Archaeologists in this department have worked throughout the British Isles and in a number of foreign countries. Many of the department’s artefacts reside in the archives of the Museum of London.
Both museums are open seven days a week from 10 to 6. Employees, however, close the galleries 20 minutes before the museum closes. Neither museum is open from December 24th to December 26th. While some shows or special exhibits require payment, admission is usually free. For paid events, tickets can be purchased at the box office 45 minutes before the museum opens. The Museum of London is housed a short distance from St. Paul’s Cathedral and Docklands sits on an islet accessed via Canary Wharf Pier.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
