The Migration Museum is back open in the heart of Lewisham Shopping Centre.
Our exhibitions and shop are open Wednesdays–Sundays from 11am–5.30pm (5pm close on Sundays). Admission is free and advance booking is not required.
Come and explore our our critically acclaimed exhibition Departures: 400 Years of Emigration from Britain, Humanae, a participatory project by artist Angélica Dass documenting every human skin tone through portrait photographs; and Wall, directly painted onto two separate surviving segments of the Berlin Wall by contemporary artists STIK and Thierry Noir. We’ve also revamped our shop, which now stocks a wider than ever selection of migration-related books and gifts.
Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS
A new digital exhibition by the Migration Museum
Explore the exhibition at: heartofthenation.migrationmuseum.org
We are thrilled to launch our new digital exhibition Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS.
Heart of the Nation shines a light on the stories and experiences of people who have come to Britain to work in the National Health Service (NHS) over the past 72 years.
The NHS is close to all of our hearts – now more than ever. From the very beginning, people have come to Britain from all over the world to make this grand vision for a better society a reality. The NHS would not have become the beloved institution it is today without its international workers. But their crucial role has largely been ignored.
Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS puts this vital story at centre stage through dozens of oral histories from NHS workers from all over the world, archival materials, as well as art, animations and data visualisations. Now, more than ever, it’s a story that needs to be told.
This is the story of the NHS. This is the story of Britain.
We’ve been hard at work over the past few months gathering stories, artworks, archival materials and contributions and working with our fabulous developers Eight Arms on this exhibition. We hope that it delivers a similar interactive, story-led, immersive feel that you have come to expect from our physical exhibitions – we can’t wait for you to experience it!
Let us know what you think – and, if you like it, please help us to spread the word about Heart of the Nation by sharing the link and promoting via your networks and on social media using the hashtag #HeartoftheNation.
The Migration Museum will be closed to the public for at least four weeks from Thursday 5 November 2020, in line with the new government regulations requiring all entertainment venues, including museums, to close until at least 2 December in response to the rapid rise in the number of Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases across London and the rest of the UK.
Having only recently reopened and launched our new exhibition, Departures, we are closing our doors again with a heavy heart. We were so excited to welcome you back and to share our new exhibition with you – and we hope to be able to reopen again safely soon, in line with government and public health regulations and guidance.
Although our museum will remain closed until further notice, there are still plenty of ways you can engage with us via our digital exhibition Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS, our website and on social media. We will be announcing more details about upcoming digital and social media content and activities soon, as well as online education resources and workshops, sosign up to our mailing list and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to be the first to know.
In the meantime, we know that these are difficult and concerning times for everyone. Let’s all take care, stay safe and look after each other.
The Migration Museum has created a shop story trail for Newham Heritage Month, celebrating the stories of local shopkeepers and business owners who have found new ways to keep the community running throughout the pandemic.
Throughout its history many people have settled in Newham and shaped the area. From booksellers to dressmakers, shopkeepers to café owners explore Newham’s outstanding businesses and their migration stories.
On the trail you will hear stories from local business owners Mohammed, John, Vivian and Kate, as they share their stories of Newham, and how they came to run their businesses in the area.
This is a self-guided mini trail, beginning at Newham Bookshop. The walk takes around 30 minutes without stops, but we encourage you to spend time, browse the shops, grab some food, and perhaps share your own migration story too.
If you don’t want to visit all the shops in one day, you can download our leaflet and map and create your own route.
