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01 September 2026: PLEASE NOTE - Our lift has been fixed and is now in full working order. Our building is fully wheelchair accessible as usual.

Blog - History

His Powers of Walking I

History

Hear the story of Robert Cowtan, as told by Aislinn Hunter.

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Under the Dome: Notes on the Chapel

History

The recent Open House London weekend saw us once more 'under the dome' at the Imperial War Museum, where we welcomed a record 142 visitors on...

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‘This is Your Hospital’: Film Screening at Bethlem

History

Enoch Powell's famous 'water-tower' speech was given fifty years ago this year. In it, he expressed the British Government's determination to...

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In the Spotlight: John Robert Cozens and Bernardo Amiconi

History, Personal accounts

This month we focus on the stories of two artists, one of whom was a resident at Bethlem and the other who is often mistakenly thought to have been resident her

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A Former ‘Madhouse’: The Museum Boerhaave

History

Our Friends' Secretary has written this interesting review of the Museum Boerhaave (the Dutch National Museum for the History of Science and Medicine).

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First Person Narratives IV

History, Personal accounts

Read part two of Jackie's experiences in the Charles Hood Unit at Bethlem.

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First Person Narratives III

History

Read part one of Jackie Hopson's 'One Good Year', talking of her experiences in the Charles Hood Unit at Bethlem.

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In the Spotlight: Relatives 2

History, Personal accounts

Following on from last month, we now explore the stories of more relatives of well-known people.

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First Person Narratives II

History, Personal accounts

This month we have a first-hand account from a mental health nurse, formerly at Bethlem.  Hear how experiences of clinical depression influenced the life and wo

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Biography and Psychology III: Walter Abraham Haigh

History, Personal accounts

Hear about Walter Abraham Haigh's battle with delusional insanity.

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First Person Narratives I

History, Personal accounts

Staff at the museum take time to investigate further the relationship between doctor and patient.

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Back Under the Dome

History

Members of the Archives & Museum’s staff recently returned to the Imperial War Museum’s Dome, formerly Bethlem Hospital’s chapel, to see a site-specific...

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