Cuming Museum facts for kids
The Cuming Museum was a special place in Walworth Road, London, England. It was located in an area called Elephant and Castle, which is part of the London Borough of Southwark. This museum held a fascinating collection of items gathered by the Cuming family. Later, it also displayed objects about the history of Southwark itself.
As of 2020, the museum's collections are being moved. They will find a new home in a brand-new building. This new place will be called the Southwark Heritage Centre.
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Who Was Richard Cuming?
Richard Cuming (1777–1870) was a passionate collector. He started collecting when he was just five years old. His first treasures were some fossils and a coin. A family friend gave them to him. This sparked a lifelong love for collecting.
What Did He Collect?
Richard Cuming bought many important items in 1806. He purchased them at a sale from the Leverian Museum. His collection included many different types of objects. He was interested in rocks and the Earth (geology). He also collected scientific tools and equipment. Animals and their parts (animalia) were another big interest.
The Cuming Family's Gift
Richard's son, Henry Syer Cuming, continued the family's legacy. In 1902, he generously gave the entire collection to the people of Southwark. This gift was made through his will. The museum officially opened its doors in 1906.
Richard Cuming's will described his museum. It included items about nature, ancient history, and different cultures (ethnology). It also had his coins, medals, and other interesting "curios."
The Museum's Journey
The Cuming Museum galleries were first on the first floor of the Newington Public Library. In 2006, they moved to a new building. This new home was right next door. It used to be the Walworth Town Hall.
The Fire and Recovery
On March 25, 2013, something unexpected happened. The museum building was badly damaged by a fire. The fire seriously affected the museum galleries. However, very few items from the collections were lost. About 98% of the objects on display were saved. They were carefully put into storage. This was done while a plan for their future display was made.
The Future of the Collection
The Cuming collection and local history items are getting ready for a new chapter. They will be displayed and stored in the new Southwark Heritage Centre. This new center is being built as part of the Elephant Park development. It is located at the north end of Walworth Road.
The center was planned to be finished by the end of 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays. Soon, these amazing collections will be available for everyone to see again.
