Cuming Museum facts for kids
The Cuming Museum was a special place in Walworth Road, London. It was located in the Elephant and Castle area, within the London Borough of Southwark. This museum held amazing collections that told stories about the Cuming family and the history of Southwark. Today, its collections have found a new home in the Southwark Heritage Centre, which opened in 2021.
Contents
The Cuming Museum: A Journey Through Time
How the Collection Started
The story of the Cuming Museum began with a man named Richard Cuming (1777–1870). He started collecting things when he was just five years old! A family friend gave him some fossils and a coin, and this sparked a lifelong passion. Richard made his first big purchases in 1806. He bought items from a famous sale called the Leverian Museum. He was interested in many different things, including rocks and the Earth (geology), scientific tools, and animals (animalia).
A Gift to the People
Richard's son, Henry Syer Cuming, continued his father's passion. In 1902, Henry decided to give this incredible collection to the people of Southwark in his will. This is called "bequeathing" something. The museum officially opened its doors in 1906. Richard Cuming's will described the collection as "My Museum illustrative of Natural History, Archaeology and Ethnology with my coins and medals and... other curios." This means it included items about nature, ancient history, different cultures, coins, and other interesting objects.
Moving and a New Home
Over the years, the museum moved locations. In 2006, its galleries moved from the Newington Public Library to the building next door, which used to be the Walworth Town Hall.
However, on March 25, 2013, a fire badly damaged that building. The museum galleries were seriously affected. Luckily, almost all the museum's treasures were saved! About 98% of the objects that were on display were recovered. These precious items were then stored safely while a new plan was made for them.
Today, the Cuming and local history collections are proudly displayed in a brand new place. They are now at the Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library. This new centre is right next door to the old town hall and library complex where the museum used to be.
