St Bartholomew's Museum

St Bartholomew's Museum

Archives and Museum North Wing
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
West Smithfield
City of London
London
EC1A 7BE

Tel: 020 7601 8152
E-Mail: barts.archives@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

Web: St Bartholomew's Museum

About St Bartholomew's Museum

Set in the historic North Wing of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the Museum tells the story of this renowned institution, celebrates its achievements and explains its place in history.
A video relates the foundation of the hospital and life-size models bring the history of Barts to life. Sound recordings tell the story of the hospital’s staff from its earliest times. At the press of a button, visitors are transported back into the world of a 13th century sister, a 15th century apprentice surgeon, and a nurse in the new NHS of 1948.
The Museum exhibits original and facsimile archives dating back to the 12th century, among them the agreement between Henry VIII and the City of London which refounded the hospital. Henry’s signature can be seen in the top left-hand corner. This magnificent document, complete with the Great Seal of Henry VIII, is one of the most important treasures of the hospital.
The oldest document in the hospital archives is Rahere’s grant of 1137, and a facsimile can be seen in the Museum. Sealed in the presence of Rahere, the founder of Barts, this deed has remained in the hospital ever since, except perhaps during the Fire of London in 1666.
Objects from the hospital’s unique historical collections are also exhibited, including works of art, a