Brunel MuseumStay in the loop and go behind the scenes at the museum, with articles by our director, learning manager and volunteers, there is never a dull moment.
Have you ever wondered whether all the famous Victorian engineers knew each other? Who worked on what with whom? How other famous names of the Victorian era fit into this picture? Did you know that Mark Brunel was friends with Alexander Hamilton (yes, THAT Hamilton)? Are you curious about who else worked on the Thames […]
This week is #VolunteersWeek Here is a thank you to our volunteers from the trustees, in recognition of their great work: “The Brunel Museum Trustees appreciate the incredible dedication and commitment of our volunteers, their range of skills and the ideas they bring. Without our volunteers the museum would not have the respect that it […]
Today we want to say a big Thank You to #NationalLottery players for the part they do in keeping the museum going. The Heritage Emergency Fund is helping us to make necessary changes so that we can continue to provide useful and interesting resources for everyone. We will be using some of the funds to […]
There are many other amazing places near the museum that you may like to walk past if you live locally – why don’t you tell us about your favourite? (We might even do a feature on it if you do!) Perhaps you have walked past this building and wondered about it? Well, wonder no more! […]
Recently watching a re-run of the Crystal Skull, I mused on a vague similarity between Indiana Jones and IKB. Both extremely attached to their different hats and with a touch of the same reckless disregard for their own safety! During his lifetime there are many accounts of his daring and frequently foolhardy deeds. Was IKB […]
The Thames Tunnel as built differs from the original ideas set forward by Marc Brunel in 1818. The original design for the tunnel shield changed from a circular shape to an oblong, and from an initial thirty-three individual worker cells to thirty-six. The hydraulic jacks that Marc originally envisaged were replaced by screw jacks, which […]
Whilst we cannot physically open the museum, our volunteers are still working hard to fulfil the mission of the museum: To preserve and share widely the ground-breaking stories of the Thames Tunnel project and the outstanding achievements of the Brunel family and their relevance to our lives today. We inspire communities through exploration, learning and […]
Are you shopping online a bit more rather than heading to the high street? Did you know that you can donate to us at zero cost to yourself? If you shop on Amazon, just access it via this link: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1003287-0 The Brunel Museum This will not change your Amazon experience or the prices that you […]
Difficult as it may currently be to imagine happily joining a crowd, that is what I am asking you to envision: On Saturday 25th March 1843, the Thames Tunnel finally opened, eighteen years after the start of the project. Visitors eagerly arrived in Rotherhithe on foot, coach, horseback or by boat. A printing press had […]
We know that many of our visitors are Brunel enthusiasts and have collected or inherited various wonderful items. This gem is from the collection of volunteer Gill Howard. What treasures of Brunel memorabilia have you collected? Brunel’s Own Copy of An Explanation of the Works of the Tunnel Under the Thames from Rotherhithe to Wapping […]