British Optical Association Museum

The British Optical Association Museum was founded in London by John H. Sutcliffe OBE in 1901 as a collection of historic spectacles and visual aids designed to illustrate the development of corrective eyewear. It subsequently expanded its collecting activities to encompass ophthalmic instrumentation and the depiction of optometric subject matter in works of art such as paintings, prints and sculpture. With over 16,000 catalogued objects (including archives) it may be judged one of the most comprehensive and high quality collections of its type. It is believed to be the oldest such museum to be open to the public. Many of its objects are rare survivals and several are unique.

The museum is located at the College of Optometrists at the north end of Craven Street, adjacent to Charing Cross railway station in Westminster. Visits to the museum gallery are free and by advance appointment only.

The BOA Museum provides a heritage service to the College, the WCSM and the wider optical professions. The public may visit the exhibition rooms (the Sutcliffe Room and Giles Room) by prior appointment or pay for a guided tour of the College meeting rooms in which various exhibits are displayed. Museum staff are available to give external lectures and objects are frequently lent to temporary exhibitions at other accredited museums in the UK and occasionally overseas.

The BOA Museum is a UK Accredited Museum and a member of the London Museums of Health & Medicine.

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Listing Details

Address: 41-42 Craven St, London, Greater London,WC2N 5NG,United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7766 4353
Website: http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/knowledge-centre/museyeum/
Email: http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/college/contact/index.cfm
Get there by bus: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 453
Get there by tube/train: Charing Cross, Embankment
Wheelchair access: Yes
Additional information: There are two steps up to the front door. The Museum floor can be accessed by either stairs or lift and is all on one level. The text of temporary exhibitions is available in large print format on request. We can offer touch tours to the visually impaired. Please contact us in advance if you have any special needs and we will try our best to help.