Legacies of an imperial city the Museum of London 1976-2007
Issued Date
Resource Type
Language
eng
Book
Book
File Type
application/pdf
Author(s)
Abstract
This comprehensive history of the Museum of London traces the ways that the relationship between Britain and its imperial past has changed over the course of three decades, providing a holistic approach to galleries’ shifts from Victorian nostalgia to equitable representations. At its 1976 opening, the Museum of London differed from other museums in its treatment of empire and colonialism as central to its galleries. In response to the public’s evolving social and political attitudes, the museum’s 1993–1994 ‘The Peopling of London’ exhibition marked a new approach in creating inclusive displays, which explore the impact of immigration and multiculturalism on British history. Through photos, planning documents, and archival research, this book analyses museums’ role in enacting change in the public’s understanding of history, and this book is the first to critically engage with the Museum of London’s theme of empire, particularly in consideration of recent exhibitions. Legacies of an Imperial City is a useful resource for academics and researchers of postcolonial history and museum studies, as well as any student of urban history.
Table of contents
List of Figures ix - - List of Tables xi - - Acknowledgements xii - - List of Abbreviations xiv - - PART ONE 1 The Origin Story 1826-1976 1 - - 1 Introduction: Museums and Empire 3 - - 2 Prelude to the Museum of London, Its Origins in the Guildhall and London Museums 1826-1976 26 - - 3 Empire at the Museum of London, 1976 48 - - PART TWO 75 'The Peopling of London' 1993-1994 4 'The Peopling of London' 1989-1993 Concept and Approach 77 - - 5 'The Peopling of London' 1993-1994 Exhibition and Displays 101 - - 6 'The Peopling of London Catalogue and Educational Resources 126 - - PART THREE Reception and Legacy of 'Peopling' 1994-2007 Figur 153 - - 7 Understanding Visitor Responses 155- - 8 The Spirit of 'Peopling' 1993-2007, Legacies and Echoes 178 - - 9 Conclusion 207 - - Index 213 - -