Social History
Penny toys, vintage vehicles, quirky packaging and more offer a delightfully nostalgic glimpse into the London’s everyday life
Blogs-And-Stories

What after the Smithfield Poultry Market Fire of 1958
Curator Kate Sumnall dives into one of the most dramatic episodes in the rich history of Smithfield Market

The origins of Notting Hill Carnival
London’s biggest street festival is a celebration of Caribbean culture and Black identity

How Sainsbury's packaging evolved over 150 years
From paper bags to pop art, what influenced design changes at Sainsbury’s

Preserving the Trump Baby Blimp at London Museum
Baby on board! What goes into the conservation and display of the hugely controversial Trump Baby Blimp?


My life as a mudlark: Finding the sacred in the River Thames
Mudlark Caroline Nunneley shares her journey discovering medieval artefacts in the Thames

The Blitz in London: A New Year's Eve letter
An informal, chatty letter from a fireman to his wife, describing the damage from the bombing during Christmas


A brief history of Punch & Judy puppet shows
Punch and his ill-treated wife Judy have entertained Londoners for centuries

The Victoria Cross found in the Thames
When a mudlark recovered Britain’s prestigious medal for valour


What was the 1911 Suffragette Women’s Coronation Procession?
Could an enormous march get the new king to support women’s right to vote?

Why did Suffragettes go on hunger strike?
Imprisoned for militant action, some Suffragettes went to extreme lengths to continue their protest

The 1918 election: When women first voted
The first general election after the First World War saw huge changes in who could vote

Ethel Smyth: Composer & Suffragette
Through love, music and activism, Smyth pushed back at the limits society placed on her

Occupy London: Looking back at the 2011 protests
In the wake of the global financial crisis, anti-capitalist protesters set up a camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral