The Horniman Museum and Gardens

Horniman Museum and Gardens

London, United Kingdom

Photo: By Amanda Chain

Yesterday was an Archaeology day-trip to the Horniman Museum. For those of you that have never heard of it, it is well worth the trip out of central London. The museum was founded by Frederick John Horniman in 1901 to house his collection of over 30,000 objects. Although the collection was mostly anthropological, he was one of those cabinets of curiosity type who loved to collect anything from natural history to musical instruments. It is a national museum because upon his death he donated his collection and the museum to the public.

Invasion of the Portugese Travellers

Benin Bronze

Horniman Museum

Photo: By Amanda Chain

When you first arrive it's rather strange in that it has seen a number of phases and architecturally speaking, does not exactly embody a seamless transition into the modern-era. The museum is special in that it does the best job of explaining a collection that has not exactly had all its objects acquired in the most ethical ways, by offering as much of a voice in its interpretation to the people who consider the objects to be their heritage. Especially in relation to calls for repatriation, this museum gives a better context for intangible heritage and objects of contention.

"Revisiting Romania"

Horniman Museum

Photo: By Amanda Chain

There are a number of "highlight" objects including a collection of Benin Bronzes. What I found most interesting was the "Revisiting Romania" exhibition that is currently on show. This collection deals with the changing ideal of culture and the attempts by the state to re-brand its culture, by taking away the ethnic variations among its people "folk art" has come to have political as well as cultural implications.

In terms of incorporating voices, this museum highlights the museum need for dialogue with its community to truly represent their interests. It is this collaborative nature that is what museums need to strive for when dealing with a less than glowing history. The question is: how do museums move forward and recreate an identity that they themselves can be proud of, especially at a national level. This is the perfect place to take young children, and when I went there were a few class trips in progress.

View from the Pavillion

Horniman Museum

Photo: By Amanda Chain

Click Here for more details on the museum and what's happening there now!