Inside the macabre world of New Scotland Yard’s ‘Black Museum’
Arguably London’s most covert museum has got to be the 'Black Museum', which now after 150 years of being hidden is open to the public at the Museum of London.
By Lucy Addicott
If binge-watching all eight series of Dexter isn’t enough to fulfil your gory needs visiting the ‘Crime Museum Uncovered’ just might. The absorbing new exhibition reveals the morbid secrets of and items from high profile crimes such as Jack the Ripper and The Acid Bath Murderer. But perhaps even more haunting are the displays from more recent crimes including the 7/7 bombings.
A Rover 827: A series of cars used by the Metropolitan Police
The exhibition invites you through a methodical and thought provoking design which focuses on a timeline of over 20 glass cases filled with fascinating objects. Themed sections are also included on topics such as fraud, illegal abortion and terrorism.
Chronologically ordered crimes easily guide you around the museum
In order to completely absorb you into the experience upon entering you are given a free guide which provides illustrations and further information about the objects within the exhibition. It also contains details of the human stories behind these crimes which undoubtedly creates an intense and almost unsettling atmosphere.
A section of the Museum guide that gives details about the offenders behind the death masks
The continuous succession of unforgettable and sad stories is not for the faint hearted. Understanding that these objects have been used for harm in real life crimes is a hard concept to take in. Still, the ‘Black Museum’ no doubt remains a truly captivating and a must see place to visit.
​
​
Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN
​
£15 per person