An intact 19th century ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, The Cuming Museum opened in 1906 and includes objects from all over the world. The museum is the result of over 100 years of collecting between 1780 and 1900 by father and son, Richard and Henry Cuming who collected everything from ancient Egyptian artefacts to the paper bags their bread came in. Following the museum’s opening in 1906, local people and collectors quickly began to donate other objects to the museum, and today, the collection consists of over 25,000 artefacts including items from: archaeology and ancient history; British social history and popular art; decorative art, textiles, prints, coins, and ceramics; and items connected with royalty and celebrities. Over the years, objects relating to the history of the borough of Southwark were also donated to the collection, and the museum includes a separate gallery which explores the story of Southwark from Roman times to the diverse communities of today.
- The Cuming Museum
- Old Walworth Town Hall, 151 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RY
- www.southwark.gov.uk
- Underground: Kensington and Elephant and Castle