Comprising artefacts and instruments in the fields of obstetrics, midwifery, surgery and gynaecology, and spanning over 500 years, the RCOG Museum is unique in the UK with its focus on women’s health care. Join the curator and archivist on a tour of the collection and hear the stories of innovation in women’s health care, from anatomy to IVF, and a chance to see rare treasures from the reserve Museum and Archive collections up close.
The Museum collections have grown through gifts and acquisitions since the foundation of the College, and now includes the complementary collection of the Royal College of Midwives.
Main display
The lower ground floor houses a display of items covering the history of women’s health care over several centuries. Including images taken from the College’s comprehensive rare book collection, this display showcases artefacts such as prototype medical devices and material that covers recent social changes to attitudes around women’s health.
Art works
In addition to the medical artefacts, the College has a considerable collection of paintings and sculptures related to the field of women’s health care and well-being, the College’s history, and its leading figures. These are displayed throughout the College building – many can be viewed on the Art UK project website.