THE SOCIETY OF LONDONERS Events programme spring/summer 2016
May Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret X-ray revealing melted padlock and key from the Great Fire of 1666 Museum of London Private tour and drinks reception: The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret Tuesday 17 May 6.15-7.30pm 9a St Thomas Street London SE1 9RY Drinks reception: Fire! Fire! Object preview Wednesday 25 May 6-7.30pm Museum of London 150 London Wall London EC2Y 5HN Hidden in the roof space of an English Baroque Church, the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret are the oldest examples of their kind in Europe. Originally part of St Thomas Hospital, their entrances were blocked up in 1862 and forgotten about until almost 100 years later. The evening will begin with a drinks reception followed by a private guided tour, accompanied by a curator s talk on Victorian surgery. Behind closed doors at the Museum of London, objects from the Great Fire of 1666 are being prepared and restored for the sensational upcoming exhibition, Fire! Fire! This private, curator-led evening reception will offer a chance to hear about the exhibition design, view the architectural models and visit the conservation studio to see some of the molten artefacts that survived the fire. FREE to the Society of Londoners; 15 for their guests FREE to the Society of Londoners and their guests
June Yinka Shonibare MBE All England Lawn Tennis Club Living Londoners: Yinka Shonibare MBE Wednesday 8 June 5-6pm Sunbury House, 1 Andrews Road London E8 4QL Private guided tour: Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club Saturday 11 June 11am 12.30pm Church Road London SW19 5AE The first in the Society of Londoners new Living Londoners talks programme, Yinka Shonibare MBE invites us to his studio to discuss how living in the capital influences his work. Shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2004, Yinka has exhibited internationally at leading museums and galleries. He produced the first commissioned public art work for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square and was elected a Royal Academician in 2013. The visit includes a drinks reception and a chance to see Yinka s Guest Projects space. Limited to 20 people With exclusive access to the Players Room, the Broadcast Centre and the Media Interview Room, this private guided tour goes behind-the-scenes at Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club, just two weeks before the 2016 Championships begin. Other more iconic spots such as Centre Court and No. 1 Court will also be included in the tour, followed by an opportunity to visit the club s museum. Limited to 20 people
June London Transport Museum Patrick Baty Private guided visit: Aldwych Underground Station Monday 20 June 6-7pm 171 Strand London WC2R 1EP Private guided tour: Lancaster House Friday 24 June* 1.30-3pm Stable Yard London SW1A 1BB Opened to the public in 1907, Aldwych Underground station was never as heavily used as originally intended and closed in 1994. The station has had a varied history; it provided shelter to Londoners during the Blitz and has been used for film and TV shoots including Sherlock, Mr Selfridge and Atonement. Visit the ticket hall, the original lifts, abandoned platforms and tunnels, and inter-connecting walkways many of which have very rarely been seen by the public. Access to the platform is by staircase only and there is no working lift in operation. 160 steps connect the ticket hall level to the platform level there is no step-free access. One of the few surviving great London townhouses, Lancaster House remains magnificently preserved and steeped in political history. Commissioned in 1825 by the grand old Duke of York, the house is now owned by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and closed to the public. This private tour provides a rare chance to view the ornate grandeur of the house s interiors and to learn about its various owners over the centuries. *Due to the Government s use of the building, there is a small chance that this date may change. Limited to 20 people FREE to the Society of Londoners; 25 for their guests
July Blythe House Alamy Private guided visit: Blythe House Tuesday 5 July 10-11.30am 23 Blythe Road London W14 0QX Originally built as the headquarters of the Post Office Savings Bank, Blythe House was purchased by the Government in 1963 and has since housed the stores and archives of the Science, British and Victoria & Albert Museums. Usually inaccessible to the public, this private visit offers a last chance to view the fascinating stores of the Science Museum before their impending move to a new site. Private view: The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London Wednesday 13 July 8.15-10am Tower of London London EC3N 4AB Please meet at the West Gate. View the world s most magnificent and valuable collection of crowns, coronation regalia and jewels during this exclusive tour of the Tower of London s Jewel House. Among the exhibits are the Cullinan I diamond (the first star of Africa), the largest and most famous top-quality cut diamond in the world, the extraordinary Koh-i-noor diamond and the legendary Stuart Sapphire. The visit will be followed by a breakfast buffet. FREE to the Society of Londoners; 25 for their guests
Dates for your diary The Society of Londoners Visionaries Luminaries Exhibition launch: Fire! Fire! Friday 15 July 6.30-9.30pm Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN Discover London before, during and after the Great Fire of 1666 in an interactive exhibition marking the 350th anniversary of this infamous disaster. Annual Celebration: The Society of Londoners Hidden Treasures Tuesday 13 September 6.30-9pm Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN Join us for an evening of celebration at our annual event. Hear from our curators and discover items from our collections, previously not on display. Invitations to follow Director s Lunch Friday 17 June 12-2.30pm Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN A special lunch hosted by Director Sharon Ament. Discussion will focus on the short listed architectural proposals for the design of the new Museum of London in West Smithfield. Guests will be invited to view the New Museum exhibition with our Director of Transformation, David Spence, before continuing the discussion during lunch in the Terrace Gallery. Open to Visionaries and Luminaries only Invitations to follow History Dinners As our closest group of supporters, we are delighted to invite you to spend time with our Chairman, Clive Bannister, at our quarterly History Dinners. Explore historical and contemporary perspectives with celebrated historians, engage in lively and entertaining debate, and enjoy a wonderful threecourse meal within the fascinating surroundings of the museum s galleries. Next dinner: Tuesday 28 June 7-10pm Guest speaker: Lord Jonathan Sumption Open to Luminaries only Invitations to follow The Society of Londoners The Society of Londoners is a group of people whose annual gifts generously support the Museum of London. By joining the Society of Londoners you will embark on a scintillating journey that uncovers hidden London. You will have the chance to get to know our collections, meet our experts and explore our archives from one of the largest costume collections in the country to the very DNA of Londoners stretching back 2000 years. To find out more about joining The Society of Londoners, please contact: Laura Archer, 020 7814 5505 societyoflondoners@museumoflondon.org.uk museumoflondon.org.uk The Society of Londoners Development Office Museum of London 150 London Wall London EC2Y 5HN 020 7814 5740 societyoflondoners@ museumoflondon.org.uk museumoflondon.org.uk