Museum of the Home

The Museum of the Home stands in Hoxton, London, on the site of 18th-century almshouses built for widows of ironmongers. The Grade I-listed buildings house a free museum exploring how people have lived from 1600 to today. Its galleries examine ideas of home, showing diverse lived experiences and emotional ties to domestic life. The museum reopened in 2021 after a major refurbishment that doubled its exhibition and public space. New basement galleries, a cafe, learning pavilion, libraries and replanted gardens now greet visitors. The entrance faces Hoxton station, making it easy to reach. The museum’s history reflects wider changes in society. The almshouses were funded by Sir Robert Geffrye, a merchant whose wealth came partly from the slave trade. In 1911, the pensioners moved out and the buildings became a museum of furniture and interiors. The curator Marjorie Quennell introduced period room displays in the 1930s. A 2021 redevelopment removed Geffrye’s name from the museum, responding to concerns about his legacy. Projects like Stay Home documented life during lockdown, collecting over 400 submissions. Inside, visitors find galleries that trace domestic life across centuries. The West Indian front room from 1976, designed by Michael McMillan, is a highlight with its vibrant cushions and souvenirs. The gardens are praised as heavenly, and the gift shop is noted for its charm. Recent exhibitions have explored themes like sleep, childhood toys and disability representation. The museum also hosts festivals and has worked with artists from Vietnamese and other communities. Its collections continue to grow, including a 19th-century painting by Rebecca Solomon.