FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
For information on the aims, elements and evolution of the Reassessing What We Collect project, please see the About this site page.
Everyone who is interested in seeing diversity related material held by the museum. This includes people from the communities represented, researchers and those with a general interest.
The site examines the relationship between London and its diverse communities, so all the communities on the site have a significant presence in London. However, the Museum’s collection is limited and not all communities living in London are represented by the material it currently holds.
The names given to communities on the site were mostly selected following the 2001 census. Many Londoners have identities which cut across several groups. For example, a number of people of Indian origin emigrated from East Africa to London in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were mostly Hindus, living, working and sometimes born in Africa, and now dwelling in Britain. Thus they are likely to speak more than one language, have experience of several cultures and possess a complex cultural identity.
For this reason, both this site and the 2001 census consist of categories which cover a person’s geographical place of origin or descent, their religion and their culture. Such categories often intersect, such as Near and Middle Eastern London and Arab London. This means that many of the objects on the site are listed under more than one category. For example, a handkerchief commemorating the Great Exhibition of 1851 represents many of the countries which were then part of the British Empire.
Also included on the site are past communities. The Museum wants to show that migration is both an ongoing process and one which dates back millions of years. The earliest object included on the site is an Irish Bronze Age axehead. Groups like the Anglo-Saxons and the Huguenots were once invaders and refugees, but over time they assimilated into the general population, contributing certain words or skills to mainstream British culture as they did so.
The Museum has a comprehensive oral history collection, although this material is not included on the Reassessing site. To find out more about oral history holdings, contact:
enquiries.later@museumoflondon.org.uk
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The Museum holds over a million items representing the history of London from prehistoric times to the present day. Due to London’s position as capital of Britain and, during the 19th and 20th centuries, of the British Empire, many of these objects have some links with other countries and cultures.
Gallery space is limited and so most material is kept in stores and can only be seen by making a prior appointment. Reassessing is an ongoing project and aims to highlight a selection of the most relevant and interesting objects linked to London’s diverse communities. Over the next year we will add a further 300 objects to the site.
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Objects may be on display in the galleries or kept in store. To visit the galleries, see the main Museum of London site for the Museum’s opening hours. Entry is free to the permanent galleries. For details of how to view objects in store, please see the Frequently asked questions on the main site.
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See the two links at the top left of this page. The bibliography lists selected books on the communities represented on the site. The Links page provides links to websites with information on London’s diverse communities.
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Please e-mail and let us know if you have further information on any of the objects appearing on the site. Or if there appears to be incorrect information given about any of the objects or communities included. You can contact us at:
reassess@museumoflondon.org.uk
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Please see the Frequently asked questions on the main site.
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Please contact the Picture Library
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You can contact us at:
reassess@museumoflondon.org.uk
Please see the main Museum of London website for general information about the Museum.
Other links
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