Barts Health NHS Trust Museum and Archive

They each have maintained a distinguished medical and nursing tradition throughout their history and claim many eminent physicians and surgeons amongst their past and present alumni and staff.

St Bartholomew's and The Royal London museums tell the stories of these renowned institutions, celebrate their achievements and explain their place in history in more detail.

As one of the oldest hospitals in the world, St Bartholomew's, or Bart's (founded in 1123) has cared for the sick and injured ever since. Our Museum tells this inspiring story with artefacts dating back to 1137. Highlights include: historic surgical instruments, sculpture, medieval archives, and unique works of art, including spectacular paintings by William Hogarth.

Archives

These hospitals also hold archives which consist of the documents and records that need to be permanently preserved for legal, financial and historical purposes.

Please use the links on the left to find out more about the museums and archives, or you can read about each of our hospital histories and medical traditions.

Barts' Archive

Barts possesses one of the finest collections of hospital records in Britain, and the oldest record of the hospital dates from 1137. The archives also hold the records of other related hospitals, institutions, organisations and individuals. The vast majority of this material is available for research.

The archives are open to researchers by appointment only, Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5pm (closed over Christmas and New Year, Easter and public holidays). There is no charge to visit the archives.

The archives of St Bartholomew's Hospital, held by virtue of the appointment of the Archives as a Place of Deposit for public records under Section 4(1) of the Public Records Act 1958.

The archives of former district hospitals now closed, held by virtue of the appointment of the Archives as a Place of Deposit for public records under Section 4(1) of the Public Records Act 1958:

• The Alexandra Hospital for Children with Hip Disease
• The Eastern and the Homerton Hospital
• The German Hospital
• The Hackney Hospital
• The Metropolitan Hospital
• The Mothers' Hospital
• St Leonard's Hospital

The archives of City and Hackney Health District/Authority, Central (later East London) Group Hospital Management Committee, Hackney Group Hospital Management Committee, held by virtue of the appointment of the Archives as a Place of Deposit for public records under Section 4(1) of the Public Records Act 1958.

Works of art and historical materials owned by the above bodies by virtue of purchase, commission, gift, etc, and transferred to the custody of the Archives.

• The archives, works of art and historical materials of the Medical College of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, held on deposit from the College.
• The archives, works of art and historical materials of clubs and societies associated with the hospital and Medical College.
• The archives, works of art and historical materials of St Bartholomew's College of Nursing and Midwifery and associated bodies, held on deposit from the College.
• The parish records, church plate and historical artefacts of the Church of St Bartholomew the Less, held on deposit from the church and parish.
• Other parish records: St Audoen alias St Ewin and St Nicholas Shambles.
• The archives, works of art and historical materials of St Mark's Hospital, held on deposit from the Northwick Park and St Mark's NHS Trust.
• Personal papers and historical materials of private individuals and external organisations donated to the archives.