Museum of London

Museum of London a Brief overview

On Monday morning July 16th, our class journeyed to the Museum of London. The building itself is nothing to write home about. Rather modern looking , it was established in 1975 from a merger with the Guild Hall Museum. It is part of the Museum of London Group which includes the Museum in Docklands, Museum of London Archaeology Service and the Museum of London Archaeology Archive. The museum is remarkable however, for its collections and because it is the largest urban history museum in the world. On site are 150 staff.

My Impression

Our guide Joe Cotton is the senior curator of the prehistoric period collection. First thing, he had us view a prepared slide show which he narrated and informed us there were handouts. This was very helpful. I've found it difficult to take notes while trying to listen, look and walk at the same time. So, I was much relieved when he said there were handouts provided and we would be sitting. After the slide show, he took us to the prehistoric exhibit. An interesting note, a few years ago the museum surveyed people and asked what the term prehistoric meant and most answered "dinosaurs". This was after they had viewed the exhibit which he pointed out did not include any dinosaurs. A few answered along the lines of the time before recorded history the answer the museum had hoped would have been evident from the exhibit. I found the prehistoric exhibit interesting, but I fear I may have also mentioned "dinosaurs" when asked what "prehistoric" meant. It's all those old bones, makes me think of dinosaurs. Actually, I preferred the exhibit on the London fire. It was a dark room with scenes flashing of the fire and a booming voice narrating the action. Very theatrical!!