Discover London’s Museum Where You Can Touch History

Quick Smiles:

• Explore a new museum where the collection itself is the main attraction.
• Over 250,000 items are on display, offering a unique, behind-the-scenes experience.
• Visitors can engage directly with the collection and even handle artifacts.

In an innovative twist, the V&A East Storehouse in London has transformed its vast collection into the museum itself. This remarkable space houses more than 250,000 items, each waiting to be discovered by visitors eager to delve into the history and artistry of these treasures.

The collection, which ranges from Roman frescoes to Renaissance masterpieces and modern icons, is now accessible in a four-story gallery. Visitors can wander through this treasure trove, experiencing the thrill of discovery akin to exploring the hidden depths of a flatpack furniture showroom.

Senior curator Georgina Haseldine shared insights, stating,
“This is real back-of-house museum work. We want visitors to learn what a collection is, how we store it… How colleagues work across the museum, from conservators to the technical service team.”

The unique organization of the collection by age creates an eclectic mix of artifacts. Imagine encountering a 14th-century painting by Simone Martini, only to find it flanked by a suit of armor, a thimble, or even a pair of fireplace tongs.

This approach invites visitors to embrace the unexpected.

The London Design Museum faced a challenge common to large institutions: an ever-growing collection with limited exhibition space. Instead of keeping these treasures hidden away, the museum has embraced a democratic approach, allowing the public to decide what to explore.

Visitors can even apply to enter the conservation room, where they can handle and examine items with guidance on conservation techniques.

“These collections belong to the public. And it’s just incredible that we can enable access,” remarked Kate Parsons, director of conservation.

This new museum experience in London invites everyone to engage with history and art in a dynamic way, offering a chance to connect with the past like never before.

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