Our story - Museum of the Home
Source: https://museumofthehome.org.uk/about-us/our-story
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:23
Our story - Museum of the Home
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Museum of the Home is housed in almshouses which were built in 1714. The money to build them came from the legacy of Sir Robert Geffrye (1613–1704).
In 1911 the London County Council (LCC) bought the building and gardens. The gardens represented 14% of the open space in Shoreditch, a densely populated area of London.
Designers, artists and architects at the time were petitioning for an exhibition space for arts and crafts. The LCC saw that they could give new purpose to the almshouses by turning them into a museum, and on 2 April 1914 the Geffrye Museum opened to the public.
2024
Real Rooms
In 2024 we opened seven new period rooms reflecting the stories of our East London community—past, present and future. We co-curated the galleries with our community partners to centre lived experiences and introduce a more diverse array of narratives to our renowned Rooms Through Time.
2020s
A new museum
We reopened in 2021, remaining free to visit. New galleries and learning spaces, an entrance hub, and a collections library and study room added 80 per cent more exhibition space for our collections and 50 per cent more public space.
2010s
A new name
To reflect the museum’s focus on home and home life, the museum became the Geffrye Museum of the Home in 2011. The museum closed in 2018 for an extensive rebuilding project and was renamed Museum of the Home in 2019 with a mission to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together.
1990s
A new wing
An extra wing was added with 20th century period rooms and spaces for learning and exhibitions in 1998. The herb garden and the Gardens Through Time were opened to the public in the late 1990s. One of the 14 almshouses was restored to show the living conditions of former residents in the 1780s and 1880s.
1930s
History of domestic life
In the mid-1930s the focus shifted to a younger audience, particularly school children.
Molly Harrison, an educational pioneer, developed the museum’s learning services. She led the way in the UK in making museums centres for learning and education.
Marjorie Quennell, the museum curator, created a chronological run of living room displays. These were a unique resource for learning about the history of domestic life and everyday things.
1914
Furniture first
When the Museum opened in 1914, it was a museum of furniture and woodwork. It was a resource for the many local people who worked in the East End furniture industry.
Find out more
Life in the almshouses
Our almshouses once housed 50 pensioners as well as staff.
Find out more
Life in the almshouses
Geffrye, his statue and its future
We are listening to views and considering options concerning the display of Robert Geffrye’s statue.
Find out more
Geffrye, his statue and its future
Our work
We explore diverse experiences of home across time through our galleries and programming.
Find out more
Our work
Keep in touch
Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter for the latest news, events and exhibitions.
Subscribe now
Skip to content
Home
»
About us
»
Our story
Timeline
Find out more
Museum of the Home is housed in almshouses which were built in 1714. The money to build them came from the legacy of Sir Robert Geffrye (1613–1704).
In 1911 the London County Council (LCC) bought the building and gardens. The gardens represented 14% of the open space in Shoreditch, a densely populated area of London.
Designers, artists and architects at the time were petitioning for an exhibition space for arts and crafts. The LCC saw that they could give new purpose to the almshouses by turning them into a museum, and on 2 April 1914 the Geffrye Museum opened to the public.
2024
Real Rooms
In 2024 we opened seven new period rooms reflecting the stories of our East London community—past, present and future. We co-curated the galleries with our community partners to centre lived experiences and introduce a more diverse array of narratives to our renowned Rooms Through Time.
2020s
A new museum
We reopened in 2021, remaining free to visit. New galleries and learning spaces, an entrance hub, and a collections library and study room added 80 per cent more exhibition space for our collections and 50 per cent more public space.
2010s
A new name
To reflect the museum’s focus on home and home life, the museum became the Geffrye Museum of the Home in 2011. The museum closed in 2018 for an extensive rebuilding project and was renamed Museum of the Home in 2019 with a mission to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together.
1990s
A new wing
An extra wing was added with 20th century period rooms and spaces for learning and exhibitions in 1998. The herb garden and the Gardens Through Time were opened to the public in the late 1990s. One of the 14 almshouses was restored to show the living conditions of former residents in the 1780s and 1880s.
1930s
History of domestic life
In the mid-1930s the focus shifted to a younger audience, particularly school children.
Molly Harrison, an educational pioneer, developed the museum’s learning services. She led the way in the UK in making museums centres for learning and education.
Marjorie Quennell, the museum curator, created a chronological run of living room displays. These were a unique resource for learning about the history of domestic life and everyday things.
1914
Furniture first
When the Museum opened in 1914, it was a museum of furniture and woodwork. It was a resource for the many local people who worked in the East End furniture industry.
Find out more
Life in the almshouses
Our almshouses once housed 50 pensioners as well as staff.
Find out more
Life in the almshouses
Geffrye, his statue and its future
We are listening to views and considering options concerning the display of Robert Geffrye’s statue.
Find out more
Geffrye, his statue and its future
Our work
We explore diverse experiences of home across time through our galleries and programming.
Find out more
Our work
Keep in touch
Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter for the latest news, events and exhibitions.
Subscribe now