I’ve loved the Horniman Museum since I was a small child. We would make the long and slightly awkward bus journey there from our home in Victoria, over the Thames at Vauxhall Bridge, through dingy Brixton and elegant and well-heeled Dulwich to spend the day at this special place.
I can’t remember those visits in detail really. I’ve got memories of awe-inspiring and crowded cabinets of strange birds and unfamiliar animals, collected and stuffed many years before: of colourful displays of traditional costumes and artefacts from Africa. Somewhere or another I probably still have the odd sepia-and-white postcard, bought as a souvenir of our day out.
And now it’s set to be a go-to destination for new grandson William. He too will be able to enjoy the bus journey there and back, and a Grand Day Out, as we all did last Sunday.
The museum is so much more than I remember from those days in the 1950s. Those collections – and more – are still there. They’re still arranged, particularly the Natural History collection, with a nod to the days when simply everything was displayed, all the better to fascinate you. There’s that wonderful walrus, stuffed by a Victorian taxidermist who hadn’t had the benefit of watching David Attenborough’s wildlife programmes. He filled out the creature full to bursting, not a wrinkle in sight. Everyone loves him.
But the African Worlds gallery reflects more modern ideas of interpretation. You’ll find, alongside objects from traditional African cultures, more modern artefacts from countries strongly influenced by the African populations that arrived there during the years of slavery, such as Brazil and Trinidad.
Surely that aquarium wasn’t there 50 years ago? And all those wonderful things happening in the gardens – I can’t even remember any gardens. I can’t remember the spectacular views across London. Even if I could, I wouldn’t remember this view. Look.
I’m sure there wasn’t an Animal Walk. This is where William got the chance to come face to face with an extremely short-legged goat, a large and very industrious white rabbit, a couple of hens and an alpaca. Now there are flower beds showing plants that give us dyes for cloth. There’s an exciting space full of – are they sculptures? No, we can all go and make music there, strumming, pounding, plucking, experimenting. And so much more …. so much more. I’d happily go and explore this wonderful outdoor and indoor site every time we go and visit… and I know William will want to come too, when he’s old enough to have an opinion.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
What a wonderful place…I’d never heard of it and I lived in London for close on 40 years! Weren’t Horniman’s a big tea company?
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Yes they were. I hadn’t thought of the connection, but here it is: http://www.horniman.ac.uk/about/museum-history. Do go if you can when next you’re in London. It’s an inspirational place, particularly if you can borrow a grandchild or someone. And the cafe’s not half bad either.
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I love this sort of museum, with its kind of random mix of natural history and anthropology and science and fun. It’s interesting that they have left some of the old items there, even if they are out-of-date, like the walrus. Then the whole exhibit becomes a subtle commentary about how our ideas change about the world around us. And I love that you’re reliving your fond childhood memories while making memories for William!
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Yes, I love the double layer of meaning in some of the displays. It’s wonderful to be a Victorian and a 21st century visitor all at the same time. Thanks for visiting with me.
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Now that does bring back memories (we did drive past there a month or so ago) of school outings. I can’t remember much detail, just the excitement of a trip on the school coach from our Kent village and the novelty of a packed lunch. There were seemingly huge dark wood and glass cases and exotic animals. Thank you for the reminder Margaret.
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Sharon! I’ve been thinking about you such a lot. No posts from you since late October. Hope all’s well.
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Aw! Thanks Margaret – we’re will (apart from a cold this week) just something has to give at the moment and it’s been the blog and blog reading. I promise to try harder 🙂
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So long as it’s good busy, not bad busy…..
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