Location: 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL
Contact: enquiry@redcross.org.uk
Access: Free entry, donations are welcome; Contact museum to book a research visit
Website address: http://www.redcross.org.uk/museumandarchives
The museum and archives record and depict the humanitarian work of the British Red Cross, in peace and in war, from 1870 to its vital contribution in today’s society. The museum collection includes: Medical equipment, including bedpans, first aid kits, illustrated triangular bandages, feeding cups and blood transfusion equipment; Early wheelchairs, stretchers, crates and large objects all used by, or produced by, the British Red Cross; Red Cross uniforms and textiles, including pieces made by recovering soldiers and the Changi quilt; Medals and badges both awarded by, and to, members of the organisation; Fundraising material from campaigns during the First and Second World Wars, Red Cross Week and international appeals, collecting tins, stickers and badges; Posters illustrating international work, UK services, juniors and youth, first aid appeals, and our links with the wider programmes of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Artwork representing past campaigns, work overseas and distinguished members of the organisation.
The archives contains early records; branch formation records including annual reports, minute books and membership information; records of the world wars, we hold the few surviving records of the Joint War Committee (1914-1919) and the Joint War Organisation (1939-1947). Indexes of personnel from both wars are a valuable resource. The archives also has audio-visual collections including an extensive photographic collection covering our work at home and overseas, and a small audio-visual collection mainly from the second half of the twentieth century; and a historical reference library which contains British Red Cross publications from its origins to the present day, and also contains selected publications from other parts of the Red Cross Movement.