Object of the month

Each month we will feature a different item relating to the Museum with a unique story to tell.

Interactive table exploring 19th century West India Dock through play

 

In a change from our usual focus on an object from our collection, this month we feature a toy boat that forms part of the new interactive materials on offer in our incredibly popular Mudlarks gallery which has recently undergone a revamp.

 

Especially designed for our visitors aged 12 and under, Mudlarks offers a softplay area for the very small and the opportunity for bigger children to explore aspects of trade, work and construction that has shaped this area of London.

Visitors can also become an actual mudlark and search for discarded and lost items in our recreated Thames foreshore complete with sand and water!

Recent upgrades to the space and interactive content have been made including fresh and lively graphic panels, the creative reinvention of display cases and the remodeling of existing interactive exhibits.

Frazer Swift, Head of Learning, “With its combination of hands-on exhibits and interactive areas for younger children, the Mudlarks gallery has always been hugely popular with families and primary schools. I am sure that the refurbished and improved gallery will be an even bigger attraction, enabling visitors of all ages – children and adults – to learn together through play and exploration.”

For details of opening times and ticket allocations click here.

The interactive table that is home to our toy boat recreates the Docks as they would have looked when they were busy with trade from all over the world.

Youngsters can turn their hand at loading and unloading cargo by crane and navigating the boats in and out of the dock gates whilst moving cargo by train to its final destination in London and beyond.

To discover more about the Port of London at this time click here.