Museum of the Order of St John facts for kids
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St John's Gate, home of the museum
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| Location | St John's Gate, Clerkenwell London, EC1 United Kingdom |
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| Public transit access |   Farringdon |
The Museum of the Order of St John is in Clerkenwell, London. It tells the amazing story of the Venerable Order of Saint John. This group started as brave Hospitaller Knights in Jerusalem during the Crusades. Today, they still help people by providing first aid and care through St John Ambulance. They also run an eye hospital in Jerusalem. The museum is part of the London Museums of Health & Medicine.
Contents
Discover the Historic Museum Building
The museum is located in St John's Gate, Clerkenwell. This is a 16th-century gatehouse in London, England. It used to be the main entrance to the Priory of Clerkenwell. This priory dates back to the 11th century. It was the English home of the Order of St John. From here, Hospitaller Knights traveled to the Holy Land. Later, they went to Cyprus, Rhodes, and Malta. They worked in hospitals, helping pilgrims. They also fought to protect Christian interests in the Holy Land and the Mediterranean.
Explore the Priory's Ancient Past
Tours take visitors to the oldest part of the Medieval Priory. This is the Norman crypt. You can also see the 16th-century church above it.
After exploring the older parts, you return to the Gate House. After the monasteries were closed down, the Gate House was used for many different things. Famous people like Shakespeare, Dr Johnson, Hogarth, and Dickens were all part of its history. The Order bought the Gate back in the late 1800s. Now, it is beautifully decorated. You can see heraldry, stained glass, and detailed carvings. These designs were created by John Oldrid Scott. Inside, visitors can admire the fine furniture and painting collections.
Modern Updates for an Old Story
The museum inside the Gate House shares the history of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance. The museum was updated in November 2010. This project was supported by groups like the Heritage Lottery Fund. Leading architects, Donald Insall Associates, designed the changes. They had also written the building's plan for keeping it safe. The company Metaphor designed the inside exhibits. These updates helped show off the Order's important collection better. More items are now on display, and they are kept in better condition.
Amazing Collections of the Order of St John
The museum has many different items from the history of the Order of St John. This Order was founded in the 11th century. It operated in most European countries.
What You Can See in the Collections
You can find archaeological items and pieces of old buildings. There are also everyday objects from the Priory site. The museum has old seals and coins, including a special collection of Crusader coins. You can see arms and armour, mostly European plate armour. There is also an example of Turkish Ottoman mail. The collection includes old drug jars, mortars, and weights. These were used in the Hospitallers' pharmacy in Malta.
Art and Treasures from Noble Knights
The museum also displays beautiful art. There are portrait medals, ceramics, glass, silver, furniture, and jewelry. You can see special badges, textiles, and church clothes. These items show the style of the European nobles who joined the Order. Many of these nobles were important supporters of the arts.
The painting collection includes religious art. Many paintings show St John the Baptist, who is the patron saint of the Order. There are also portraits of Grand Masters, Knights, and clergy. You can see paintings of naval battles and views of Malta. The museum has prints and drawings too. These include portraits of the Knights and maps showing the famous forts on their island homes. There are also prints of the English Priory and the area around Clerkenwell.
The St John Ambulance Collections
St John Ambulance has a history of over 125 years. It has worked in more than 40 countries worldwide. The British Order of St John founded it. Its work was inspired by the medical traditions of the Hospitallers. A new exhibit tells this important story.
Tools, Uniforms, and Personal Stories
The equipment on display ranges from early ambulance transport to a Victorian nurse's tiny first aid kit. You can see training books in many languages. First aid information comes in many forms, from cigarette cards to pop-up books and even on bandages.
The uniform collection includes special ceremonial clothes. There is a 1922 cadet uniform and an A.R.P gas suit. Posters and advertisements show uniforms from many different time periods. The collection of medals, trophies, and fancy certificates shows the achievements of members. One certificate was even made by a forger in a prisoner-of-war camp. Banners and textiles remember special St John events.
Personal items share what it was like to be part of the movement. Nurse Nesbit's cartoons show the funnier moments of working in a First World War hospital. In an album, Lyn Brown wrote about her feelings. She was one of the first people to enter the newly freed Belsen camp in 1945.
Capturing History: Films and Voices
The film archive shows St John Ambulance's connection with the film industry. A huge collection of photos gives insights into people's lives and social changes. It also shows how the organization changed over time. Oral histories, especially strong from the Second World War, cover many topics. These include first aid during the 1930s depression. They also tell about setting up a division in Zanzibar in the 1950s. You can also hear about the work of a welfare officer in the Gulf War of 1991.
Plan Your Visit
- Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
- Tours - Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 11am and 2.30pm
Getting There
- by train - Farringdon station (Tube and Thameslink trains) is the nearest station, 5 minutes walk from the museum.
- by car - Pay and Display parking spaces are available in St John's Square. Parking restrictions apply Mon-Fri 9am - 6.30pm, Sat 9am - 1.30pm
- by bus - Farringdon Road (63), Clerkenwell Road (55, 243)
See also
- Healthcare in London
- St John's Gate, Clerkenwell
- Service Medal of the Order of St John
- Insignia of the Venerable Order of St John
- Museum of the Order of St John in Ontario
