THE MUSEUM OF THE HOME

I've been visiting the Museum of The Home since childhood. It was known as the Geffrye Museum until 2020, but it underwent significant renovation once taken under the V&A umbrella.

I remember walking from room to room, dating from the 16th Century until now. The Museum showcases the display rooms, originally called parlours and drawing rooms, that offer snapshots of living room life from different periods.

Each room has authentic furniture, fixtures, and fittings corresponding to its time. The Museum has eleven displayed rooms, covering designs from 1600 to the present.

This Museum is housed in 18th-century Grade I-listed almshouses on Kingsland Road and offers a unique journey through British homes over the last four centuries. It explores how people live and live, reflecting the changes in society, behaviour, style, and taste.

Now, the Museum has a fresh feel to it after the refurbishment. The garden still looks in great shape. I particularly liked how they've laid out how the garden might look in different centuries. It has a herb garden with over 170 different plants. These gardens are open to the public from April 1st to October 31st each year.

History

Before becoming a museum, an Almshouse housed several families from the East End in the 17th Century. The beautiful exterior gives you a sense of history, and the rooms reflect the oldie worldly feel.

It gives visitors an insight into the social housing available in the 18th and 19th centuries. This area of the Museum includes displays on the history of the Geffrye almshouses and their East End residents.

These almshouses served the local community for over 200 years, providing housing for pensioners. In the early 20th Century, the premises were converted into a museum, initially serving as an educational resource for local workers in the furniture industry.

From Almshouse To Museum

The Museum's origins date back to 1914. They are closely linked to the historic almshouses established by the Ironmongers Company in 1714 with funds from Sir Robert Geffrye, a former Lord Mayor of London.

By the 1930s, it broadened its scope to focus on interiors and home life through the ages, becoming a popular resource for families and children.

Sir Geffrye

Sir Robert Geffrye (1613–1703) was a notable figure in 17th-century London, primarily known for his roles as a merchant, slave trader, and Lord Mayor of London in 1685.

Geffrye was deeply involved in various trading ventures, including the Atlantic slave trade. He had part ownership of a slave ship, the China Merchant, which participated in the Triangular Trade.

This trade involved English goods being sent to West Africa and exchanged for enslaved Africans, who were then transported under horrific conditions to the West Indies to work on plantations. This involvement in the slave trade was a significant source of his fortune.

The Museum's Stand On Slavery

The change in the name of the Museum reflects their position and perspective. I believe they did the right thing, too. The Museum has been very transparent about how Geffrye made his money because he made a lot from Slavery.

The Museum of The Home has increased its efforts to inform visitors by introducing educational programs, workshops, and discussions about colonial legacies in their collections and buildings, working collaboratively with local communities and youth groups. I found it tastefully done.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the Museum include various exhibitions and events that explore the concept of Home from different perspectives, such as disability rights, LGBTQ+ communities, and Vietnamese diasporic artists.

The Museum underwent an extensive redevelopment project in 2019, which improved access and enhanced the visitor experience, allowing a broader display of its collections.

Parting Comments

Visitors can explore 11-period rooms, four beautiful period gardens, and a walled herb garden, all arranged chronologically. The Museum also houses a café, entrance hub, and a collections study room.

For more information on visiting hours and current exhibitions, you can visit the Museum of the Home's website https://www.museumofthehome.org.uk/

Thank you for your attention

Best wishes

Tabby