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The Cuming collection from 1906
When the Cuming Museum opened to the public in 1906, the exhibits were all from the Cuming family's original collection. After the opening, local people and other collectors quickly began to donate other objects to the museum.
As the borough of Southwark developed and grew, objects relating to the history of the borough were deposited in the collection. Some of these objects relate to famous people such as Charles Dickens or events such as the bombing of Camberwell during the first world war. The collection grew as local people donated their personal collections made during travelling abroad, while in the trenches during the first world war or on retiring from employment in one of Southwark's industries such as the Docks.
More material was added to the collection after the second world war. Bomb sites were cleared and docks and factories closed, leading to more material being offered to the museum. The museum also became a centre for local archaeology and some interesting finds from excavations made during the 1960s and 1970s are held.
The collection gives a fascinating insight into the history of Southwark.The museum continues to collect material relating to the people and history of Southwark.
Edward Lovett, superstitions and charms
 The Lovett collection of superstitions was donated by Edward Lovett in 1916. The objects give an insight into the superstitious beliefs of Londoners at the turn of the 19th century. Parts of the collection are on display in the museum's permanent gallery and the remainder can be viewed on request.
Edward Lovett, 1852 to 1933 was the head cashier of a large city bank. He was also an expert on alpine plants and an enthusiastic collector of any items relating to superstitions. He was a founding member of the Folklore Society and during the first world war he organised a number of exhibitions of his collection.
Lovett bought his first charms and curios at the age of eight. His interest in folklore was increased a few years later when he saw a mandrake root in a herbalist's shop. Lovett was most interested in collecting objects that threw light on popular customs and beliefs.
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday, 1791 to 1867 has been called the father of electricity and the greatest experimental scientist ever. Born in Newington Butts, Southwark, his discovery of electromagnetic induction led to the development of electric motors and power generation.
Faraday was educated by the Sandemanian Church. His interest in science developed as a result of attending lectures at the Royal Institute and coming under the influence of Sir Humphry Davy. He secured a post as a technical assistant at the Royal Institute at the age of 21.
Faraday lectured extensively on chemistry and physics at the Royal Institute in London. He was instrumental in creating the Friday evening discourses that popularised science in victorian England. Faraday did not invent electricity but his work provided the knowledge to make electricity useful to society. Without him we would not have the electric generators and motors that provide electricity for our homes, shops, industry and transport.
The Cuming Museum has many items on display that belonged to Micheal Faraday, including one of his coin purses and a set of alloy discs which he made during one of his experiments.
George Tinworth
The sculptor George Tinworth was born in Walworth in 1843, the son of a wheelwright. He was supposed to help his father but liked to spend his time carving bits of wood. At the age of 19 he pawned an overcoat to pay for evening classes at the Lambeth School of Art. Then at the age of 21 he won a place at the Royal Academy School.
In 1866 Tinworth went to work for Doulton's, the great pottery making firm, and became their most important designer of decorative vases, jugs and humorous figures and animals.
He continued with his own work too and his pottery reliefs of biblical scenes exhibited at the Royal Academy were especially famous and were admired by John Ruskin. George Tinworth died in 1913.
To find out more about the Cuming collection see the page The Cuming Family Collection.
Contact us
For enquiries about our collections contact
The Cuming Museum
Tel: 020 7525 2332
Fax: 020 7525 2345
cuming.museum@southwark.gov.uk
Old Walworth Town hall
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY |