Museum
The Museum of Fulham Palace tells the story of this ancient site from Prehistoric times to the present day.
The new displays opened in April 2007 and interpret our collection of paintings, archaeology and artefacts (including our famous mummified rat!) as well as the Fulham Palace model which shows the building in perfect detail at a scale of 1:50.
We collect everything relating to the Palace’s architecture, archaeology, garden history and social history, so do contact us if you have any relevant material.
Children of all ages are very welcome (though we ask that younger children be accompanied) and an art cart with a variety of things to do and make is always on hand.
We operate with the help of volunteers drawn from the local community, so if you are interested in helping us, please find out about volunteering.
For enquries about the museum please call 020 7736 3233.
For museum opening hours please see Visiting and booking.
CURRENT EXHIBITION
THE GREAT WHITE CITY: THE FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION & THE 1908 OLYMPICS
19 JULY TO 21 SEPTEMBER 2008 - FREE ADMISSION
One hundred years ago this week, the 1908 Olympic Games opened in the brand new stadium at the Franco-British exhibition at Shepherds Bush. Over 2000 competitors from 22 nations took part in 20 sports, with Britain winning 56 Gold Medals, followed by the USA with 23. The Franco-British exhibition was a major event in London in 1908.
140 acres were developed in Shepherds Bush to provide a spectacular presentation of the industry, commerce and culture of the French and British empires, embodying the spirit of the Entente Cordiale of 1904. The Exhibition opened on 14 May 1908 and, by the time that it closed on 31October, over 8 million people had visited. As well as the more serious exhibits promoting industry and the arts, visitors could enjoy rides such as the “Flip Flap” which dominated the whole site, lifting people in viewing carriages to a height of 200 feet.
The exhibition was developed by Imre Kiralfy, an established entrepreneur in the exhibitions field. Many of the elaborate “palaces and pavilions” within the site were white, and the area acquired the nickname of the Great White City. The exhibition in Bishop Sherlock’s Room in Fulham Palace draws on the Donald R. Knight collection, the collections of Hammersmith and Fulham Archives and Local History Centre, and other private collections to tell the story of the exhibition. The displays include examples of the many souvenirs and postcards produced for visitors.
Further information please contact Miranda Poliakoff, Curator, Museum of Fulham Palace (020 7610 7165) or Jane Kimber, Borough Archivist (020 8741 5159)
