The Museum of London is set to move to a new location in West Smithfield, with a proposed opening date of 2022.
Currently located at London Wall, the Museum of London is said to have reached full capacity at the site.
The move into a series of vacant buildings including Smithfield General Market, the Fish Market, the Red House and the Engine House - which total an approximate 25,000 square metres – will allow for never before seen artefacts to be displayed, as well as increased exhibition space and a learning centre.
It is also hoped the museum’s move to West Smithfield could help contribute to the continuing rejuvenation of the Smithfield area, which from 2018 will include the new Crossrail station at Farringdon that will make the new museum easily accessible by train.
The museum has reached £180 million of its £250 million fundraising target for the project through support from the City of London Corporation (£110 million) and the mayor of London (£70 million).
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This major landmark project will be a jewel in our crown. It will reveal 2,000 years of fascinating London history for Londoners, visitors and every schoolchild in the capital. It will rejuvenate West Smithfield, protecting its heritage while also creating a dynamic new public space – strengthening London’s credentials as an international powerhouse for culture.”
The Museum of London
The current Museum of London opened in 1976 after the amalgamation of two earlier museums, the Guildhall Museum and the London Museum.
Since 1976, the Museum of London has operated as a social and urban history museum. A second museum, Museum of London Docklands, was opened in 2003 and is housed in a Grade I listed warehouse at Canary Wharf.
For more information visit www.museumoflondon.org.uk or www.museum.london.
Photo credit: Museum of London.
