Museum of Mankind

Museum of Mankind
Name	Museum of Mankind
Established	1970
Location	Burlington Gardens, London
Type	Anthropology, Ethnography
Collection size	~350,000 objects
Publictransit	Green Park, Piccadilly Circus

Museum of Mankind. The Museum of Mankind was the popular name for the ethnographic department of the British Museum when it was housed in a separate building from 1970 to 1997. Located at 6 Burlington Gardens in London, it served as a public showcase for the museum's extensive collections of artifacts from indigenous cultures across the globe. Its establishment and operation marked a significant period in the public presentation of anthropology in the United Kingdom, preceding the later creation of the dedicated British Museum Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas.

History

The museum was established in 1970 to provide exhibition space for the British Museum's vast ethnographic holdings, which had been curated by the former Department of Ethnography. This move was partly necessitated by chronic space shortages at the main British Museum building on Great Russell Street. The chosen venue, 6 Burlington Gardens, was a historic building originally constructed for the University of London and later used by the Civil Service Commission. Under the leadership of figures like keeper Adrian Digby, the museum opened with the exhibition "The Asante: Kingdom of Gold". It operated successfully for over two decades, mounting a series of influential temporary exhibitions, before the collections were relocated back to a newly constructed space within the British Museum in 1997 as part of the Great Court redevelopment. The Burlington Gardens building was later occupied by the Museums and Galleries Commission and subsequently became home to the Royal Academy of Arts.

Collections

The core collections originated from the British Museum's foundational holdings, greatly expanded through the era of British colonial exploration and naval voyages. They encompassed approximately 350,000 artifacts from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific. Significant acquisitions came from the voyages of Captain James Cook, collections from early British Honduras, and materials from major expeditions like the Torres Strait Islands expedition led by Alfred Cort Haddon. The collections included everything from the renowned Benin Bronzes and a monumental Easter Island statue named Hoa Hakananai'a to intricate Northwest Coast carvings and an extensive array of artifacts from Papua New Guinea. These materials were central to the research of prominent anthropologists such as Henry Balfour and were meticulously cataloged and conserved by the museum's staff.

Architecture

The building at 6 Burlington Gardens is a Grade II* listed structure designed by James Pennethorne and completed in 1870. Its architecture is a notable example of Italianate style, featuring a grand facade with Portland stone and a series of sculpted figures representing various disciplines. The interior was substantially modified for museum use in the late 1960s under the direction of architect John Farman. Key spaces included a central exhibition hall, a public study room where visitors could handle objects, and specialized storage areas with controlled environments. The architectural adaptation aimed to create modern gallery spaces while respecting the historic fabric of the building, a challenge later revisited during its occupation by the Royal Academy of Arts.

Notable exhibits

The museum was renowned for its dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, which often focused on single cultures or thematic topics. Major shows included "The Asante: Kingdom of Gold" (1970), "Sacred Circles: Two Thousand Years of North American Indian Art" (1976), and "Living Arctic: Hunters of the Canadian North" (1987). One of its most celebrated exhibitions was "The Hidden Peoples of the Amazon" (1985), which brought widespread attention to the cultures of the Amazon Basin. The permanent display allowed for the rotation of highlights from the vast stores, frequently featuring the Easter Island statue, Aztec turquoise mosaics like the double-headed serpent, and a renowned collection of Hawaiian featherwork including the iconic cloak of Kamehameha I.

Public programs and outreach

The institution pioneered innovative public engagement strategies for an ethnographic museum. It operated a unique "Study Room" where visitors, by appointment, could examine objects from storage with the guidance of curatorial staff. A strong emphasis was placed on education, with dedicated programs for school groups linked to the National Curriculum. The museum also collaborated with source communities, inviting artists and cultural specialists from regions like New Zealand and Alaska to contribute to exhibitions and public workshops. These efforts were supported by active publishing, including detailed exhibition catalogs and a popular series of postcards featuring collection highlights.

Governance and funding

As an integral part of the British Museum, the Museum of Mankind operated under the governance of the British Museum's Board of Trustees. Its funding was derived primarily from the annual grant-in-aid provided by the British Government via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Additional support for specific exhibitions, acquisitions, and conservation projects came from charitable trusts such as the Museums and Galleries Commission, corporate sponsors, and private donors. The decision to close the separate site and reintegrate the collections was a strategic move by the British Museum's leadership, led by Director David M. Wilson, and was funded by the major National Lottery grant that supported the Great Court project.

Category:Anthropology museums Category:Former museums in London Category:British Museum