The Wellcome Collection - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

I finally visited the last participant in the Museum Mile collection, The Wellcome Collection.  This museum's name is not a misspelling, it is named after named after Sir Henry Wellcome.

In an interesting twist, I think the life of Sir Henry Wellcome is more phenomenal than the current exhibition (more on that later).  Henry's story is one that fascinated me because he crossed paths with so many people that were instrumental in their own fields, which helped Henry become a successful man.  Chalk this up to one more reason why I love this expat adventure.

Henry was an American man that grew up in the midwest in the late 1800's.  When he wasn't exploring the unsettled areas of Minnesota, he worked at his uncle's pharmacy and medical practice.  He often shadowed his uncle on medical rounds and learned a lot along the way.  

In his early adult years, Henry made his way to Rochester, MN and began learning from a man named Dr. William Worrall Mayo.  Does that name sound familiar?  Yes, Henry took chemistry lessons from the man who would be one of the the founders of The Mayo Clinic.  Dr. Mayo encouraged Henry to look beyond Minnesota to further his education in Chicago.  Henry took this advice and studied in Chicago and Philadelphia.  He even made trips to South America to source herbs and plants for new medications.  

Henry's friendship with Silas Burroughs lead him to London where he continued his interest in medicine.  Burroughs and Wellcome created a pharmaceutical company that pioneered the distribution of tableted medicines across Europe.  Prior to the introduction of the tablet (Wellcome & Burroughs trademarked the name Tabloid), pharmacists created medicines using a mortar and pestle, which was not always the most efficient or consistent way to make medicine.  When Silas Burroughs died, Henry had complete control over the company.  

Wellcome continued medical research and was successful in creating a vaccine for diphtheria.  He decided to sell it below cost to the public as it was the right thing to do at the time.  The success of the vaccine encouraged Henry to set up the Wellcome Research Laboratory to continue medical research.  His laboratory is still in operation today, however it now houses the research and development teams from GlaxoSmithKline (formerly Glaxo Wellcome & SmithKline Beecham).  

Henry's vision led to significant medical advances for the world's benefit:

• isolation of histamine to create anti-histamines, allergy sufferers rejoice!
• first producers of insulin
• mass exposure of medicine in control-measured tablet form outside of the US
• worked toward universal measurements for medicines
• created a floating laboratory that provided medical attention and conducted medical research about malaria along the Nile River - reducing the death from malaria by 90%

Sir Henry died 1936, but not before he entrusted all of his endeavors to the Wellcome Trust.  This group continues to fund research of diseases, such as malaria & HIV, that impact lower income countries.

Thank you Sir Henry Wellcome for devoting your life to the health and welfare of the world.

To make this post a bit longer - the current exhibition is called the Institute of Sexology.  Obviously photos are not allowed inside as most of the artifacts are of a sexual nature.  

Nothing on display was lewd or inappropriate, but it was not a topic that I was particularly interested in perusing for any length of time.  The museum also has a permanent exhibit titled Medicine Now that explores medicine from the early 1900's until today. 

To round out the tour the Wellcome Collection puts on a rad cafe and gift shop.  Judging by the number of little kids at the cafe, people stop by for the food since they weren't touring the Sexology exhibit.  

The Wellcome Collection galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday, but the cafe and shop are open every day.  The museum is located extremely close to the Euston Square Underground Station (Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City Lines), Euston Station (Victoria & Northern Lines), and Warren Street Station (Victoria & Northern Lines).

Final Thoughts - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

I have visited all but one of The Museum Mile locations.  The Wellcome Collection is the remaining museum, but it will not reopen until later in 2014.  Yes, Wellcome is spelled correctly.  My short summary of each museum can be found here.  

I am thankful to my husband for alerting me to this collection of museums.  When I started my tour, we'd just moved to England, and our lives were not stable at all.  The kids were getting used to a new school, which thankfully was easy for them.  Matt and I were trying to settle a household to create a place of solace for our little family at the end of the day.  

It may sound crazy, but The Museum Mile was stability in my life.  When I needed a break from setting up telephone services, emptying boxes, and not making tea for the antenna guy, I knew a visit to any museum on The Mile would provide an escape.  

A beautiful thing about The Museum Mile, it opened my eyes to museums I might not visit otherwise.  The theme of a museum might not have piqued my interest prior to a visit, but I am happy that I took a chance on each museum.  Viewing specimens from previously living things at the Hunterain Museum was not on the top of my list, but it ended up being one of my favorite museums.  

I appreciated that fact when I toured some of the museums I was one of only a handful of people in attendance.  Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love the British Museum.  However, the crowds smooshed together to snap photos of the Rosetta Stone or the mummies makes the visit feel like you have to move along so as not to get trampled.  I will visit again and again after September when the kids are back in school and the number of tour groups is reduced.     

No two museums are alike on The Museum Mile, and that is what made it so appealing.  I viewed Egyptian artifacts, impressionist paintings, and literature dating back to the 1200s.  

I learned something on the Museum Mile.  Actually, I learned more than ever imagined, and my visits always prompted me to do further research at home.  I've spent time learning about artists (Grayson Perry & JMW Turner), religions (Sikhism), and social change (Thomas Coram).  

Thank you Museum Mile for providing stability in my life when I needed it most.  I am thankful for what I learned about my new city and the world along the way.  I am certainly a better person for visiting your wonderful exhibitions.  

Pick out your favorites and be sure to visit them when you travel to London.  Even though you saw my posts from the museums, I did not share everything at each museum so there is more to see!

The Cartoon Museum - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

I'm continuing my journey along the Museum Mile.  Read the summary of my visits here.

Information posted near the entrance indicates that photos of specific pieces is not allowed due to copyright.  However, it was permissible to take photos of the gallery as a whole.  When I attempted to take a photo of the gallery as a whole to share with my fine readers, a museum volunteer apparated at my side.  She thought it was important to remind me of the museum policy.  In a sugary sweet manner, I clarified that I was allowed to take photos of the gallery as a whole.  

Anyway....

The museum is small but jam-packed with cartoons.  However, the cartoons are not what you think; the current exhibit is Never Again! WWI in Cartoon & Comic Art.  They displayed political cartoons written for the big newspapers and those drawn by soldiers on the front line.  Upstairs had a few recognizable characters, but the main focus of the museum is the current exhibit.  

Maybe I'll give the museum volunteer credit on 

this one, it might be a bit close.

The small upstairs had a classroom, which had how to draw cartoon posters on the wall.  I could see this as a fun school trip.  Overall my visit to this museum was underwhelming. I'm not sure if it was the topic of the main exhibit, or if I'm just not into this medium.  That's just my opinion as I paid £7 admission.

The Cartoon Museum charges £7 for adult admission and children are free.  It is open Monday-Saturday from 10:30am-5:30pm and Sunday from noon-5:30pm.  The Cartoon Museum is tucked away on Little Russell Street, not far from Holborn Underground and Tottenham Court Road Underground (both have the Piccadilly & Central Lines).     

The Brunei Gallery - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

Our journey continues along The Museum Mile.  Please see my summary of the museums in this collection here.  

The Brunei Gallery, SOAS is part of the University of London.  SOAS is the School of Oriental and African Studies, and their current exhibit is called Empire, Faith, and War - The Sikhs and World War One.  After I toured this I spent some time to learn more about Sikhism, and I think you should too.

The Sikhs soldiers were an important group in many battles of World War One.  They valiantly fought for a country most had never seen.  The Sikhs fought for their country in areas around Egypt, Turkey, and Palestine.  

I was shocked by the following statistic posted at the exhibit: 

"Although making up just 1% of the population of British India (concentrated mainly in the northern region of Punjab), Sikhs made up nearly 20% of the British Empire's Indian Army at the outbreak of the war."  

The exhibit displayed different swords and military regalia along with moving photos of the soldiers in posed and candid situations. 

This exhibit also showed many propaganda posters to promote support of Britain in the war.

A bonus to this museum is the Japanese garden on the roof.  It is small, but it provides a nice solace in the middle of the city.  

Admission to The Brunei Gallery, SOAS is free.  It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am-5:00pm (Thursday until 8pm) and Sundays 11:30am-5pm

It is located right off green Russell Square, which gives you many options for the train: Russell Square (Piccadilly Line), Goodge  Street (Northern Line), Euston Square (Metropolitan Line, Hammersmith & City Line, and Circle Line), Euston (Northern Line & Victoria Line) Tottenham Court Road (Central Line & Northern Line), Holborn (Central Line & Piccadilly Line), Warren Street (Northern Line & Victoria Line)

Petrie Museum - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

Our journey continues along The Museum Mile.  Please see a summary of the other museums in this collection here.  The Petrie Museum is another museum in the UCL Museums & Collections, and I previously visited the Grant Museum of Zoology.  

The Petrie Museum has one of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts in the world.  I have very little information that I can share with you about what I saw as my knowledge about Egyptian history is paltry.  What I do know was learned at the British Museum and focuses mostly on mummies.  

I will let the photos do the talking today.  

I found this old soul quite interesting.  Apparently some people believed in burying their loved ones in terra cotta bowls.  

The museum had a table set up for children's activities.  They could explore with hieroglyphics through a matching game and write their name using the ancient alphabet.  

  
The Petrie Museum is located on the UCL campus and is free to visit.  It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00-5:00.  It is located within a easy walk from Euston Square (Hammersmith & City, Circle Line, and Metropolitan Line), Warren Street (Northern Line and Victoria Line), and Goodge Street (Northern Line) Underground stations.

The Foundling Museum - Museum Mile - Touring Tuesday

I'm continuing my tour of all participants in the Museum Mile.  Please enjoy my summary of all the sites I have visited here.  

The Foundling Museum is nestled on a wooded street near the Russell Square Underground station.  The Foundling Museum is another gem in the Museum Mile.

The premise of this museum is more emotional than the others in the collection, and I have a lot to share with you.  It tells the history of the Foundling Hospital, which operated from 1739-1954.  At the hospital's beginning London was in a bad place, and people were struggling to survive.  For some bringing a baby into the world was too much to handle, and many babies were abandoned across the city.  The Foundling Hospital was created by Thomas Coram to look after these children whilst their parents found their way again.

When a child was admitted to the hospital their parent left a token behind in the child's file.  This was essentially the claim ticket the parent would use when they returned for their child.  Some families left strips of fabric which were cut into two pieces so the hospital could have one part and the parent the other.  Still other parents left elaborate coins, pieces of jewelry, or ornate trinkets that could be described when they returned. 

The token was vitally important for the identity of the child.  After admission to the hospital, each child was renamed and baptized.  The token was the only thread to their former life.  Sadly, only about five percent of parents ever returned for their child.  If a parent returned for their child they were responsible to repay for the boarding and care of their child.  

The exhibit had audio and video snippets from former residents at the Foundling Hospital.  They accounted the daily routine and weekly outing around the neighborhood.  It reminded me of a military-style life with meals and playtime highly planned.  

When the children reached certain ages (I seem to remember 14), they were sent out into the community to work.  Some children moved up the ranks in their jobs and some did not.  

Further research indicated that the hospital kept immaculate records.  The data keepers made sure every last detail was recorded at admission.  The City of London Archives has many of the Foundling Hospital's actual records.  

Fast forward to present day.  While the Foundling Hospital is no longer in operation, the founder's legacy continues.  Coram is the group that continues to look after children in England.  The group supports parents and children through training, and they also assist with adoptions.

The Foundling Hospital is open Tuesday through Sunday and admission is £8.25.  It is located near the Russell Square Underground station (Piccadilly Line)

The Dickens Museum - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

This week, you'll journey with me to the Charles Dickens Museum.  It is a part of the Museum Mile, which you can see a summary of each museum here.  In the summaries you will find links to the museums and my original posts.  

Charles Dickens called the city of London home for a few years.  One can see many of his influences around town.  Most notably, he is buried at Westminster Abbey.  I learned that his funeral at the abbey was a small family affair, and he dictated prior to death that his grave marker was to be understated.  If you choose to visit Westminster Abbey, you will know the spot of his grave by the high number of visitors in that area.

When Dickens lived in London, his house situated in historical Bloomsbury.   This area was full of famous late 19th century writers including Virginia Woolf and T.S. Elliott.  The Charles Dickens Museum is located in a beautiful Georgian terraced house, which is also his former residence.

The rooms are displayed as originally used.  The tour started on the ground floor that was comprised of the public rooms, such as the reception room, a library, and dining room.

Then the tour went downstairs to see the kitchen, laundry area, and the outdoor wine cellar.

Next, I made my way up to the remaining floors.  I walked through another reception room, Charles' bedroom, his bathroom (as in a room without a toilet and an actual bath), his sister's bedroom, and a nursery up on the top floor.

The top floor had an adorable nursery.  

On the way out, I passed through a temporary exhibit focusing on Dickens's literature.  Tables full of his writings were alongside comfortable chairs which allowed for a short bit of reading.  

The Charles Dickens Museum is open every day 10-5.  Admission is £8.  It is easily accessible from the Russell Square (Piccadilly Line), Chancery Lane (Central Line) or Holborn Station (Piccadilly & Central Line) or Kings Cross/St. Pancras (Circle, Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City)

Hunterian Museum - Touring Tuesday - Museum Mile

The Hunterian Museum is another Museum Mile participant.  If you want to catch up, I summarized the others I've visited here.  This museum is nestled in the heart of the UCL college campus inside the Royal College of Surgeons building. It is slightly tricky to find, but it's in the building across the street from the tennis courts if you ever find yourself looking for it.

As the museum is a part of the Royal College of Surgeons, you can make an informed guess as to the content of the museum.  The presentation of the jars is sleek and beautiful.  The LED lighting in the display cases allows for a clear view of the specimens.  I neglected to see the No Photography signs at the museum until I almost finished on the second floor.  You benefit from my lack of rule following..... 

A quick history of the museum indicated that John Hunter is the namesake for the museum.  He worked with his anatomy teacher brother where he learned to dissect and prepare specimens for study.  Hunter traveled the world to acquire specimens for the collection.  During World War II the museum took a direct hit, which destroyed many of the specimens.  Thankfully for us, the museum has recovered.  

The museum categorized the specimen cases by species (mammals, reptiles, plants), systems (reproduction, muscular), and ailment (medical condition).

Precisely why you should brush your teeth

  I'll admit I did have this face for several of the displays as I read the information cards.  

Kristen Wiig as Aunt Linda on SNL

Upstairs presented displays about the history of surgery.  Lawsy mercy, thank you to the brave surgical patients that endured crude surgeries that guided medical improvements.  

The Hunterian Museum is another gem on the Museum Mile.  You can get to the museum after a short walk from Holborn Station (Piccadilly & Central Underground Lines), and admission is free!