Islington Museum
Free local history museum in the basement of Finsbury Library, telling the story of Islington through nine themes and changing exhibitions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Islington Museum opened in 2008 in the basement of Finsbury Library, replacing an earlier council museum at Islington Town Hall. The new gallery was paid for with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant and is run by Islington Council.
The permanent gallery presents the history of the borough through nine themes, including childhood, food and drink, fashion, leisure, health care, radical politics, caring, home life and the two world wars. Everyday objects, photographs and local stories show how people in Islington lived and worked.
Among the best-known objects are a bust of Vladimir Lenin, who lived and worked in nearby Clerkenwell, and library book covers altered by the writer Joe Orton and his partner Kenneth Halliwell. The museum also stages free temporary exhibitions, talks, walks and events, and has an education room for school groups.
Highlights
- Gallery of local history in nine themes
- Bust of Vladimir Lenin from Clerkenwell
- Library books altered by Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell
- Free changing exhibitions and talks
Permanent exhibition
- Islington history gallery – A gallery on local and social history organised in nine themes, from childhood and fashion to health care, radicals and wartime.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Islington Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. No booking needed.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The council describes the museum as fully wheelchair accessible. A detailed access guide is available online through DisabledGo.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Angel / Farringdon station
Bus 153. Angel station (Northern line). Farringdon station (Elizabeth line, Thameslink and London Underground lines).
The museum is below Finsbury Library, near the junction of St John Street and Skinner Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
