Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Bethlem collects, preserves and interprets material relating to mental health.
Founded in 1970 the museum is the public face of the charity Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust. Bringing together the archives of the Bethlem Royal, Maudsley and Warlingham Park hospitals, its aim is to promote knowledge of mental illness and its treatment, while also challenging the associated stigma.
In 2015 the museum moved to a newly refurbished art deco building at the heart of the Bethlem Royal Hospital. The space provided better facilities for storing and presenting its collection, as well as a proper home for the Bethlem Gallery, which was established in 1997 to showcase the work of current or former patients of the local NHS trust. It was reopened by contemporary artist, Grayson Perry, who is a passionate advocate of the museum's work to draw art and mental health together.
Not able to attend the museum in person? Visit Bethlem Musem of the Mind online instead, in this extensive digital museum tour.
Bethlem Museum was a finalist for Museum of the Year 2016.
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