George Marshall Medical Museum

About the museum

The museum grew from the collection of George Marshall, a Scottish doctor who came to Worcester in 1931 as a general practitioner and later became a consultant surgeon at the old Worcester Royal Infirmary. Over the years he gathered several thousand old medical and surgical objects. He presented them in the 1970s to the postgraduate education centre at Ronkswood, and in 2002 they moved to the new Charles Hastings Education Centre on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site. The museum was formally opened there in 2003.

The collection shows how medicine and health care have developed over the past 300 years, with a focus on Worcester and Worcestershire. Well-known items include a set of death masks that Marshall found in the basement of the Royal Infirmary, a reconstructed apothecary shop and a Victorian operating theatre. The museum has since added photographs, costume, medical books, oral histories and archives from local hospitals, including records of the Worcester Royal Infirmary and Powick Asylum.

The displays are in a former lecture theatre, so the floor slopes gently. The museum is run by a charity and works with schools, community groups and researchers.

Highlights

• Collection of death masks and the story of phrenology
• Reconstructed apothecary shop
• Victorian surgery and operating theatre displays
• Objects and stories linked to the Worcester City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum
• Free entry

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent collection – Objects showing how medicine and health care have developed over about 300 years, including death masks, a reconstructed apothecary shop and surgery displays.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Charles Hastings Education Centre (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. Guided tours and workshops for pre-booked groups cost a small fee.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum, toilets and facilities are on the ground floor of the education centre, reached by a ramp or steps from the main street. The museum floor slopes gently because it was built as a tiered lecture theatre, so wheelchair users may need to apply their brakes. Seating is spread through the museum. A Braille and large print guide is at the entrance and the display cabinets have Braille labels. Visit Worcestershire lists a lift, an accessible toilet and an assistive listening system for the building. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. Visitors can ask for a disabled parking bay in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children are welcome. The museums offer school and group workshops, including a hands-on Victorian surgery session, and a free video game, Diagnosis Doctor, that can also be played on arcade cabinets in the museums.

Getting there & parking

The centre lies between junctions 6 and 7 of the M5. The postcode WR5 1DD only leads to the right main road: from Newtown Road follow the signs for the hospital and then for the Charles Hastings Education Centre. Do not follow the satnav along Malvern View, which is residents’ access only. Cycle stands are behind the building. Coaches should be booked at least one week ahead.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a book shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit