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Museum Details
Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives & Museum
Image
The Bethlem Royal Hospital
Monks Orchard Road
Beckenham
BR3 3BX
Kent
England
Collection details
Archives
Fine Art
Medicine
Personalities
Social History
Facilities
Parking: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Archives and reference library open to the public by appointment only. Museum opening hours cannot be guaranteed at all times. Please telephone to check before planning a visit.
Contact details
Head of Archives and Museum (Tel)
:
020 3228 4307
Archivist (Tel)
:
020 3228 4053
Education and Outreach (Tel)
:
020 3228 4537
Secretary/General Enquiries (Tel)
:
020 3228 4227
General (Fax)
:
020 3228 4045
Museum
:
jmichael.phillips@slam.nhs.uk
Archives
:
colin.gale@slam.nhs.uk
Education and Outreach
:
caroline.smith@slam.nhs.uk
General enquiries
:
heather.reed@slam.nhs.uk
Website
:
www.bethlemheritage.org.uk
Open
Mon - Fri 0930 - 1630
Closed
Sat
Sun
Public Holidays
Other statutory holidays (NHS)
Admission charges
Free
Description
Founded in 1247, Bethlem Royal Hospital is now in Beckenham, South London, as part of the wider South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The Archives and Museum service is unique in UK as the only one dedicated to the history of mental health treatment. De-stigmatising mental illness is one of its major roles. Limited in space, the Archives and Museum will be moving to larger premises on the same site in 2010.
Collections description
Collections illustrate aspects of mental health and mental healthcare. They include archives of Bethlem Hospital (the original 'Bedlam') and the Maudsley Hospital (founded in the 20th century, influential in psychiatric teaching and research). Historical objects relate mainly to Bethlem. The unique art collection contains works by artists, past and present, who have suffered from mental health problems. It comes from many sources, not only from the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals.
Key artists and exhibits
Richard Dadd
;
Louis Wain
;
William Kurelek
;
Jonathan Martin
;
Vaslav Nijinsky
;
Cynthia Pell
;
Caius Gabriel Cibber's statues of 'Raving and Melancholy Madness' from 17th century Bedlam
Articles
Bethlem Asylum Artist Richard Dadd In Leamington Spa
Trails
From Apothecaries To Florence Nightingale - A Medical Museums Trail
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Collections
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Disability Access
Wheelchair access to all public areas
General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Facilities
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
Study facilities
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.