|
This museum was created in 1901
by Frederick Horniman, a wealthy tea merchant. Horniman
had the museum built to house the collection of curios he
had accumulated over the years on his travels around the world.
Constructed in the last years
of Queen Victoria's reign, the museum still has a Victorian
atmosphere. An mosaic on the facade represents 'Humanity
in the House of Circumstance'.
Re-opened in June 2002 after
a major redevelopment, this museum is well worth a journey
from central London and is a great favourite with children.
Its varied collection includes
displays, with three main themes, World Cultures, Natural
History, and Music.
The new Centenary Gallery celebrates
the different cultures of the world with a vast array of objects
collected over the past 100 years from every continent.
The Aquarium contains a variety
of fish, seahorses and giant shrimps, whilst the large collection
of musical instruments can be heard, touched and played and
there are interactive videos and demonstrations.
An intriguing 'Apostle's Clock'
enacts scenes from the Gospels each day at 4.00 pm.
The source of Frederick Horniman's
prosperity is recalled in a exhibition of tea-making paraphernalia.
Frederick Horniman's original
vision was to link the Museum and Gardens and this has been
realised with the new redevelopment. The 16 acres of
gardens, with their views over London, include formal and
sunken gardens, a nature trail and animal enclosures.
The Horniman Museum also has
a library and holds special exhibitions, lectures and concerts.
Admission free
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
London
