LECTURES AND EVENTS

Please find below a listing of the events at the Museum.

All events are included in Museum admission and are presented by Museum curatorial staff, unless otherwise stated.

Weekly Demonstrations

Every Saturday at 11.30am*

BARBERS, BLOOD & BANDAGES
a children's interactcive workshop to explore the 18th and 19th century medicine
!


What did people do before the invention of anaesthetic and antiseptic procedures?
Everyone is familiar with the red and white stripes outside of barber’s shops; but do you know what the rotating pole means?

 

*Booking is necessary for this talk and please check the programme or call for details as sometimes special events or private boolkings replace the regular talks on Saturdays.

Speed Surgery - Surgery in the 19th Century

Every Saturday 2.00pm*

A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable.

 

Herbs, the Garret and Operating Theatre

Every Sunday 2.00pm*

In the past, medicines were made from plants, animals and even precious stones.
Learn how 'drugs' such as foxglove, myrrh and unicorn horns were used.
Examine real herbs in the attic space, originally used by the apothecary of St Thomas' Hospital.

*Please check the programme for details as sometimes special events replace the regular talks on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm

February 2010

Sunday 7th February

The Old Operating Theatre Museum at the Movies

The Museum will be projecting a series of edited highlights of short films and TV productions made in or about the Old Operating Theatre over the last 20 years.

 

It will include the amazing short film 'Unterschenkel-amputation', a 1903 film showing the speed of an amputation of a leg, courtesy of the Wellcome Library.

 

The films will be on from 1pm - 3.00pm with a break for a short talk on the Herb Garret at 2pm

 

THE ODYSSEY OF CHOCOLATE

In collaboration with the Royal Society's Local Heroes

 

LOCAL HEROES

See further with the Royal Society in 2010 - celebrate 350 years of excellence in science

 

SIR HANS SLOANE &

 

THE ODYSSEY OF CHOCOLATE

 

The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret is celebrating the 350 year anniversary of the birth of Sir Hans Sloane, an entrepreneur, physician, philanthropist, botanist ...and a chocolate lover.

 

EVENTS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES:


Sir Hans Sloane: The Odyssey of Chocolate Workshop


Discover the fascinating story of chocolates long, rich history, from it's early usage by the ancient Aztecs, who drank chocolate as a bitter beverage during religious and social ceremonies, to the explosion and mass production of chocolate throughout Europe in the nineteenth century!

 

For centuries chocolate has symbolised: wealth: health and love across a diverse range of cultures as well as being the nations favourite tasty treat of choice. The odyssey of chocolate aims to explore many aspects of the rich social significance of chocolate's history!

 

The workshop is suitable for all ages and includes sampling the different variations of chocolate in it's modern form as well as designing your own chocolate label. The only requirement for entry; is a love of chocolate.


Sunday 14th February 2.pm

Treat yourself for Valentine's Day!


Tuesday 16th & Thursday 18th February 2pm


Tuesday 6th, Thursday 8th, Tuesday 13th, Thursday 15th April


Tuesday 1rst & Thursday 3rd June 2pm


Tuesday 27th July 2pm


Tuesday 3rd, Tuesday 10th, Tuesday 17th & Tuesday 24th August 2pm

EVENING LECTURES:

£10 per person (including a complimentary glass of wine)

 

Sir Hans Sloane & Chocolate

Thursday 4th March 6pm-8pm

Sir Hans Sloane: Enlightenment Surgery

Thursday 1st April 6pm-8pm

PUBLIC WALKS:

£10 per person (booking is required)


Sir Hans Sloane and Chelsea

Thursday 6th May 6pm

(meeting at Sloane Square tube station)

 

A delightful walk around the history of Chelsea with a particular emphasis on the 18th Century and Sir Hans Sloane, who lived in the old Manor House and helped found the Chelsea Physic Garden.


Sir Hans Sloane: Bloomsbury and The British Museum

Thursday 3rd June 6pm

(meeting at Russell Square tube station)

 

The walk introduces Bloomsbury in the 18th Century and looks at the origins of the British Museum and Sir Hans Sloane's role in the foundation. It ends with a tour of the highlights of Sloane's Collection in the Enlightenment Gallery.


Booking advised. Call 0207 188 2679

or email curator@thegarret.org.uk to reserve a place

PLEASE NOTE:

We strongly advise booking, as places are limited and often in great demand.

 

Events Archive

 

 

ADDRESS AND CONTACTS

The Old Operating Theatre, Museum & Herb Garret
9a St. Thomas' Street, Southwark, London, SE1 9RY
Tel. 020 7188 2679. Email: curator@thegarret.org.uk

The Events programme is organised by the Museum Staff and volunteers - in particular (in alphabetic order) Kirsty Chilton, Stevie Edge, Kevin Flude, Karen Howell, Valentina Lari.

IS IT SCARY?

Our talks can be graphic in content, particularly where describing the history of surgery. If in doubt please contact us to discuss the content of a particular event. We give some indication of age range below. Generally, children of 7 plus will find them suitable. However, the Museum itself has plenty of activities to divert the attention of children from the toddler upwards. Booking is not normally necessary, except for our Half Term events where it is highly recommended as the Museum has a capacity of only 60.