The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Contact
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
9A St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
Who are we?
Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas' Hospital, this atmospheric museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. The original timber framed Herb Garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients' medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was included.
Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. Access to the attic is through a narrow 52-step spiral staircase. The museum is dedicated to history of medicine and surgery from the Georgian and Victorian period. The museum is run by the Lord Brock Trust, a charitable trust. As part of our fundraising campaigns we do venue hire, offer private after-hours packages and organize events.
How you can help
Volunteering
We will require regular volunteers for specific opportunities when they arise. Please use this link to see some of our current vacancies: http://www.oldoperatingtheatre.com/vacancies
Training and Workshops
Training opportunities to up-skill our staff (HR, strategy, etc) are always of interest if they relate to the team’s areas of responsibilities.
Ad-hoc and Pro Bono
We welcome pro bono services such as campaigning and lobbying, legal, architectural, planning. Occasionally, needing trustees to assist us with specific opportunities when they arise. For more details regarding the roles description please see our website
Venue Hire
Sometimes access to meeting rooms or larger rooms are required for events so please let us know if you have any availability.
Donations and Fundraising
We are starting to develop our fundraising strategy and will be looking for individuals in the future to help act as ambassadors and host fundraising events and currently considering gift donations as a part of our fundraising strategy.