Swedenborg Society Museum
Museum and gallery of the Swedenborg Society in a Grade II listed house in Bloomsbury, with objects linked to Emanuel Swedenborg.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is run by the Swedenborg Society, a registered charity that is also an academic publisher and archive. It is based in Swedenborg House at 20–21 Bloomsbury Way, a Grade II listed building that was put up around 1760 as two dwellings on the Bedford Estate. In the early twentieth century it served as a brewery warehouse, from 1914 to 1924.
The society bought the freehold in 1924, refurbished and enlarged the building in 1925 and 1926, and has used it as its headquarters ever since.
The museum collection includes personal belongings of Emanuel Swedenborg and objects connected with people such as D. T. Suzuki, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and John Flaxman. Only a small part of the collection is on permanent display around the house; the remainder can be viewed by appointment. The gallery shows changing displays alongside the collection.
Highlights
- Personal belongings of Emanuel Swedenborg
- Objects linked to Coleridge, Flaxman and D. T. Suzuki
- Grade II listed house from around 1760
- Gallery with changing displays
Permanent exhibition
- Swedenborg collection on display – A selection of objects from the Swedenborg collection shown around the house, including personal effects of Emanuel Swedenborg.
- Founded
- 2019
- Operated by
- Swedenborg Society
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
Step-free access to Swedenborg Hall is through the bookshop; visitors should contact the Society in advance so ramps can be prepared. The Gardiner Room and the Wynter Room have no disabled access.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
A bookshop is on site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Swedenborg Hall and other rooms in the house can be hired for private events.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The Society offers group tours and school and university programmes, as well as children’s workshops. |
