A collection of 1,000 musical instruments and associated items, including the earliest extant stringed keyboard instrument, a rare Irish harpsichord and trombones played by Elgar and Holst. The Portraits and Performance History collection includes images of musicians, including over 350 original portraits and 10,000 prints and photographs. The museum display draws in items from both collections and from the RCM's Library. Temporary exhibitions relate to events held at the RCM.