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rcpmuseum.bsky.social
RCP museum
@rcpmuseum.bsky.social
1.2K followers 120 following 170 posts
The Royal College of Physicians museum, heritage library, archive & garden in Regent's Park | History, medicine, art & modernist architecture | Exhibitions & events
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rcpmuseum.bsky.social
For over 500 years, the @rcphysicians.bsky.social has been collecting treasures of medicine – from early anatomy texts, to physicians’ portraits & rare instruments.
Through the new Adopt a Treasure campaign, help us fund the conservation of rare & significant items.
👉 www.rcp.ac.uk/support-us/p...
A conservator works delicately with a paintbrush on one of the RCP paintings. The open title page of a book by Thomas Linacre. Close up of the hand of a conservator using a brush to repair a gold leaf frame. A rare 19th century print of 'A history of vaccination' with the word 'Jenner' large in the centre. Painted by Stephen Jenner, the nephew of Dr Edward Jenner
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
24 November is #WorldWalrusDay. These dapper examples are from William Jardine's Naturalist's Library of 1838. The book describes how the animals' 'coating of oily fat' (blubber) enables them to 'repose on their icy beds without inconvenience'.

Anyone else got a good walrus to share? #RareBooks
Print of an adult walrus and two pups on a rock in the sea with polar bears and ice in the backdrop from William Jardine's Naturalist's Library of 1838.
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Book now for your chance to see the incredible Wilton Psalter up close & create your own illuminated letter in our workshop on Sat 29 Nov.
Join artist Sarah Davis to create your own beautiful letter complete with 23ct gold leaf!
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/illumi...
@rcphysicians.bsky.social #histmed
November 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Frankenstein Myth Busting!

Have you seen Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, and are you wondering how much is rooted in actual medical history? Let’s have a closer look in our latest blog:
history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/franken...

*Warning! Contains spoilers!*

@rcphysicians.bsky.social #Histmed
Close up of an anatomical table displaying a dissected human nervous system.
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
On 17 Dec from 6pm, join the RCP Garden team for an evening of tea tasting & blending featuring ingredients in the Medicinal Garden. Inspired by recipe books in the RCP archives & led by expert gardeners create a blend to take home or give as a festive gift!

Book 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/teas-g...
A flyer titled 'Teas form the Garden' surrounded by colourful dried herbs A cup of her tea being poured into a tea cup.
November 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by RCP museum
girlinthe.bsky.social
For #FragmentFriday: fragments of a pocket Breviary with musical notation, 13th century, @rcpmuseum.bsky.social MS777/91, removed from the Paris 1570 edition of Gregory's Decretals.

See them in the current exhibition #BodyOfKnowledge: history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/...
November 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
The oldest European book in our collection is the stunning illuminated Wilton Psalter made for the nuns at Wilton Abbey in c.1250, likely by the monastic scriptorium in nearby Salisbury Cathedral.

Each of the 150 Psalms from the Christian Bible begins with a large illuminated initial letter.
A page from the Wilton Psalter showing a beautifully illuminated capital letter. An illuminated letter created using the Wilton Psalter as inspiration
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by RCP museum
sshmedicine.bsky.social
Sharing forthcoming @roysocmed.bsky.social events (in person and online).
Just search 'medicine' on the events page to find out more about these events in January and February and others
www.rsm.ac.uk/events/
Please note fees may apply.
#histmed #histSTM #medhumanities
Image of a poster with picture of medicine jars on shelves and text 'Representing medicine in the past' Wednesday 4 February 2026 5:30-7.45pm at RSM, London or online. image of a poster showing a treatment room with blue walls containing medical equipment and a radiator. This advertises presentation 'Histories of Medical care in prisons'. Wednesday 14 January 2026 5:30-7:35pm at RSM London or online.
November 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Explore striking art installation Making Visible by doctoral researcher Catherine James & exhibition 'A body of knowledge' Mon 10 Nov. With an exclusive intro from Harveian Librarian Anita Simonds @anitaks.bsky.social!
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/making...

@rcphysicians.bsky.social #BodyOfKnowledge
Visitors examine the portrait and some of the covered books that feature in Making Visible. A woman leans over the a display case containing open books in the exhibition.
November 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by RCP museum
physiciansgallery.bsky.social
Our new permanent gallery and learning centre are now open!

Be one of the first to check out our alchemical scroll, examine medicines from the Battle of Culloden and try out our family-friendly puzzles and activities.

Find out more 👉 www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/joy...
Photograph of a display case with a wooden medicine chest inside
November 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
'They will first appeare like so many starres and when the starres are spent… they will run wrigling to and fro like Serpents'

This is a description of 'fisfigs', incredibly dramatic firework designs in 'Pyrotechnia' by J Babington, 1635.

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/light-b... - Don't try at home!
A printed illustration of fireworks display in the shape of a dramatic scene with a floating fortress, sea monsters and castles. A printed illustration of men using tools to shape and pack fireworks. A printed illustration of fireworks in the shape of St George on a horse and the dragon.
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
#OTD 1964 Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the RCP’s new headquarters in Regent’s Park.

Explore the design of the Grade I listed building with architect Denys Lasdun, specialist speakers & featuring footage of the then Queen at the opening👇

youtu.be/z-4ydFg6jww?...

@rcphysicians.bsky.social
The anatomy of a building: Denys Lasdun and the Royal College of Physicians
YouTube video by Royal College of Physicians
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce a virtual winter lectures for exhibition 'A body of knowledge' is open to book 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/body-k...

🗓️ 6pm GMT, 9 Dec, £5
😍 Featuring a virtual exhibition tour & fascinating lectures from @awickenden.bsky.social & @samuscript.bsky.social!

#LibraryHistory
Image of an open anatomy book showing a skeleton and other books in cases in the exhibition. Open books in cases in the exhibition, the nearest book is in Arabic.
November 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by RCP museum
ihrlibrary.bsky.social
This History Day, explore hidden queer histories and surprising discoveries in the Queer History and Heritage Trail, with collections from The Postal Museum, @rcphysicians.bsky.social @qmullibrary.bsky.social and beyond! Blog: buff.ly/pzsC6wm

#HistDay25 @ihr.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 8:07 AM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Feeling spooky? Here are 3 Memento Mori to visit at the Museum: history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/feeling...
#halloween #mementomori #callingallskeletons
Skull ring encrusted with amethyst
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for a fabulous story-time with the amazing Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social!

Vanessa created a unique tale all about the library of the RCP. There was music, puppets, pretend flames, smells, a disco ball & books!

@rcphysicians.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Happy #IntersexAwarenessDay!

These doctor’s notes give an insight into the life of a teen in 1830 who today might refer to themselves as #intersex. Working as a household servant there is the suggestion they lost their job due to being intersex. Discrimination still faced by many today.

#Histmed
An extract of handwritten doctors notes referring to a teen in 1830 who today might refer to themselves as intersex.
October 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
There is still time to pre-book for one of tomorrow's storytelling sessions with Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social or you can pay on the door to attend - we'd love to share the tales from our 500year old library!

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/tales-...

@rcphysicians.bsky.social #halftermfun
October 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Did you know the @rcphysicians.bsky.social lost nearly its entire library in the Great Fire of London?
Storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social
has created a fabulous story all about the library, join us Mon 27 Oct to discover more!

Book👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Join us Sat 29 Nov for an all day practical workshop to create your own illuminated letter to take home or give as a festive gift.

Artist Sarah Davis will lead the session using an array of medieval techniques & materials, including 23ct gold leaf.

Book👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/illumi...
A close up of Sarah Davis' hands as she paints an illuminated letter Photo of artist Sarah Davis at her workbench
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
One of the student halls at the University of Lagos is called the Kwaku Adadevoh Hostel to acknowledge the legacy & contributions made to the University by its 4th vice-chancellor. But who was Kwaku Adadevoh & what did he do?

Discover👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/remembe...

#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM
A black and white photo of Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, a black man with short hair and moustache wearing a suit with white shirt and tie.
October 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Did you know the RCP Heritage Library has over 50,000 books? 🤯

Storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social has created a fabulous story all about the library & its secrets. Join us next Mon 27 Oct for #halfterm to discover more!

Book now 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
#BehindTheScenes at the museum today we have one of our more delicate collection objects out - an amazingly rare sculpture by the ‘Ingenious Chinese artist’ Chitqua, (Tan Che Qua) c. 1728–1796.😍

ICON accredited conservator Alexandra Kosinova ACR is evaluating the statuette for a potential loan.🔍
The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by artist Chitqua, a white man sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a physicians cane being inspected. The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by artist Chitqua, a white man sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a physicians cane being inspected closely with a torchlight by conservator Angela Kosinova.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Thomas Linacre, founding fellow of @rcphysicians.bsky.social died #OTD 1524. He opened up his house on Knightrider Street in the City of London as the first home of the College, and allowed the fellows to make use of this own personal library.

#HistMed
An oil painting portrait of Thomas Linacre, a white man with brown hair over his ears and a flat black hat, white shirt and black coat. A black and white illustration of Stone House and flat roofed 16th C 3-storey building.
October 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Join storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social for an exciting family storytime 27 October @rcphysicians.bsky.social!
There will be music, props, smells & a secret revealed!
Pick from a selection of times through the day.
Book now👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/tales-...

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM