Lectures and learning:
We kicked off our 2025 series of lectures and educational events with a fascinating lecture by Mike Sappol: Queer Anatomies, on how anatomy had licence to picture the intimate details of the human body. In March we hosted a Transcribathon, in collaboration with the Wellcome Collection and Early Modern Recipes Online Collective (EMROC). Participants had a go at transcribing two manuscripts and enjoyed a talk by Mary Fissel on the history of abortion.
In July our Summer Lectures looked at both culinary contributions and properties of the medicinal plant ingredients in early modern recipe books. As part of this, food historian Dr Amanda Herbert led a tasting session of chocolate according to an early modern recipe, we left the musk and amber out of our samples though!
And finally our winter lectures explored recent research into how we investigate the history of libraries like the collections of the Royal College of Physicians.
Creative Workshops:
From casual mindful crafts at our museum lates, to botanical art and illuminated lettering workshops, you can exercise your creativity to whatever level you would like at our events.
This year we also collaborated with the RCP Garden Team to bring to life two tea tasting and crafting sessions in Teas from the Garden. One of our expert gardeners created tea recipes from plants in the RCP’s medicinal garden and guided visitors through the tasting experience, and then to mixing up their own brew. Perfect as a Christmas present (or as a treat for yourself!)
Family fun:
The Museum’s events aren’t just for grown ups though! We hosted the London Museums of Health and Medicine’s “Up close and Medical” during February half term (keep an eye out to find out where the next one will be!), and for May half term, we hosted a “Plants and Potions” event with the Old Operating Theatre, making pomanders. There is a children's trail for the current exhibition, and we had drop in crafts for every day of October half term, including a day of interactive storytelling with music, props and smells led by professional London storyteller Vanessa Woolf.
RCP museum in the wild:
Sometimes our collections make their way out into the world, and this year Archivist Felix and Rare Books Librarian Katie, took part of the RCP’s collections to the British Library for school sessions on Gothic Literature and Medieval Women. They also participated in University of London’s History day, which this year had a Queer History and Heritage Trail.
Keep an eye out on our events page to see what we have planned for next year!
