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Barts Health Archives

@bharchives.bsky.social

Explore nearly 900 years of history through the archives and objects cared for by Barts Health NHS Trust Archives. Part of Barts Health NHS Trust. Find out more at www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/barts-health-archives

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Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 2w ago

Want to use archives for your research but don't know where to start? Book one of our hands-on archive skills sessions to help take your research further! Last Friday, @lhbt.bsky.social brought their Community Researchers for a skills session focused on property records, including some fab plans

Photograph of a display in the archive including plans, deeds and large volumes

Plan of St Bartholomew's Hospital-owned property in Fore Street and Lime Kiln Dock [Limehouse], c1755 - 1762 (plan 114, SBHB/HC/46)

Plan of the estate of the Infant Orphan Asylum, Dalston (later the location of the German Hospital), 1843. This plan was produced for the sale of the freehold estate of the Infant Orphan Asylum and is part of an advertisement for the sale. The plan shows the grounds of the Asylum from next to Dalston Road and includes the Asylum buildings, a school, mansion, playground, flower garden, orchard garden and grass plot. (SBHG/HC/3/2)

Proposal for the conversion of the German orphanage into a nurses' home, Jan-Feb 1949 (SBHG/HC/4/4)

Institute of Historical Research @ihr.bsky.social · last mo.

Today, the National Health Service (NHS) celebrates its 78th birthday. With the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), you can access hundreds of records on the history of the NHS and its evolution over the past eight decades.

Black and white informational poster about the NHS at its founding.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · last mo.

Last Friday, as part of their 'Filth and Health' conference, we welcomed members of the British Archaeological Association for a display of documents relating medieval and early modern sewers and water supply at St Bartholomew's Hospital (and to enjoy the archives air conditioning!)

Projector screen with a slide in the style of a medieval illuminated manuscript reading 'Filth and Health - Hygiene and Sanitation in the Middle Ages. Inter faeces et urinas nascimur' [The Latin is attributed to early church fathers like Augustine or Bernard of Clairvaux, and means "We are born amid faeces and urine"]

Display of documents, with in the foreground a small medieval deed with wax seal

Display of documents, with a number of volumes open including 17th century minutes books and plans

Two people looking at items on display in the archives

Medieval Art Research@medartres.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The British Archaeological Association, the Friends of Barts Heritage and the Friends of Great St Bartholomew are delighted to invite you to this event on Friday, 26 June 2026.

Catherine Clarke @cathamclarke.bsky.social · last mo.

Day 1 of our fabulous @ihr.bsky.social #London #SummerSchool 2026: 'Sickness and Health'. We've enjoyed a lecture from @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, an @ihrlibrary.bsky.social introduction and workshop, and a brilliant visit to @bharchives.bsky.social and Barts North Wing. Thank you!

Exploring a wonderful range of sources in Barts Archives, thanks to archivist Kate Jarman

Claire Langhamer's opening lecture: 'How do you feel? Everyday experiences of sickness and health'

Enjoying the shade and fountain at Barts!

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 2mo ago

It's #CleanAirDay - & on 5 July, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Clean Air Act. In this letter, a TB patient describes his experience of the 'Great Smog' of 1952, estimated to have contributed to 12,000 deaths in London - unable to move “owing to the exertion of breathing…trying to hold onto life”

Section of a handwritten letter in blue ink, reading 'I would like to render you a report of my health, as I think one id due about October. Well I am very pleased to say that I have survived an alarming experience during the last 3 days + nights of 'Fog'. I was totally incapable of raising my body to an upstanding position or for that matter moving a limb owing to exertion of breathing or shall I say trying to hold on to LIFE. Well it is all over now thank God. My doctor has prescribed the necessary medicine and recommends a fluid diet. But I don't want to undergo such an experience again without having some remedy...".
From correspondence between patient WA and the Lady Almoner at Frimley [TB] Sanatorium, 1942-1957 [RLHBH/AL/3/27/9]. The patient goes on to make a request for a prescription for a respiratory mask to help with future smog, and a note indicates the Lady Almoner has requested a Burney Yeo inhaler (mask) for WA from the dispensary at the Brompton Hospital.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We can't wait to welcome groups from the @ihr.bsky.social Summer School next week - if ever a theme was made for our collections, it is 'Sickness and Health'! We have lots of fascinating material to share with them on Monday

Centre for the History of People, Place & Community@chppc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A brilliant morning in @senatehouselib.bsky.social! @cathamclarke.bsky.social and @graffitiginger.bsky.social have been looking at special collections materials ready for our @ihr.bsky.social London Summer School next week - on the theme of 'Sickness and Health'. Our participants are in for a treat!

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This hand drawn card was sent from three retiring Whipps Cross Hospital staff to their colleagues in about 1981, thanking them for the "the help and consideration given to us over the years, and best wishes extended to us on our retirement." #WorldBicycleDay #Archives

Watercolour cartoon on front, of two silhouetted figures riding away from the hospital, which can be seen in the background, on a bicycle and motorbike, with the caption 'Hurry Up Tom in case they call us back!!". Signed FW [Fred White].

RLHPP/NOW/1

Borthwick Institute for Archives@uoyborthwick.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today is #WorldBicycleDay so enjoy this vivid tribute to the joys (and trials) of cycling from the 1921 Mount School magazine.

Watercolour drawings of a woman on a bicycle stuck in the mud, two women pushing their bikes up hill in driving rain, and two cyclists stuck in the exhaust fumes of a car, contrasted with a sketch of two cyclists lying out happily in the sun beside a pathway, bikes next to the. The text reads 'Cycling is guaranteed to produce good Muscles, good Appetites, good Sleep, good Temper, & a capacity for enjoying Anything & Everything!'

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

For our final Vital Arts post, we have two past projects by Barts Health's arts programme - a 2006 CD of music commissioned for wards and patient waiting areas, entitled 'Vital Music'; and 'The Consulting Room', a 1999 performance at the Royal London Hospital #VitalArts30

Printed flyer for 'The Consulting Room', a performance produced by IOU Theatre and Brenda Rattray for Vital Arts at the Royal London Hospital Garden Square, July 1999 as part of the Docklands International Festival

CD cover arts for the 'Vital Music' CD of music made for wards and patient waiting areas, 2006

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

On day three of our look back at past arts projects for #VitalArts30, we're focusing on something big! The restoration of the St Bartholomew's Hospital West Wing as a Breast Care Centre in 2002-2005 saw the building 'wrapped' in an artwork by Julian Opie during the construction works

Photograph of cars in the St Bartholomew's Hospital square with snow on the ground and falling, c2002. In the background, a huge panel covering the West Wing, behind the cars, features an artwork by Julian Opie entitled ' I Dreamt I Was Driving My Car (Country Road)'

Photograph of the St Bartholomew's Hospital square from above, c2002. On the right of the image is the North Wing, while on the left, a four-storey hoarding panel features an artwork by Julian Opie entitled ' I Dreamt I Was Driving My Car (Country Road)', entirely covering the West Wing

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today we continue our look back at #VitalArts30. In 1999, the 'Right of Passage' photographic exhibition staged by the Trust's Fertility Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, together with Vital Arts, explored the emotions exposed by fertility treatment

Flyer for the 'Right of Passage' exhibition, featuring six black and white photographs (RLHBL/V/3/2)

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today, we're going back to 2000/2001, the 'Year of the Artist', when Emily Allchurch completed her residency as the artist working with children being treated at Garden House, then the Royal London Hospital's children's hospital (1/2) #VitalArts30

Barts Health Archives@bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Vital Arts, the arts programme of Barts Health NHS Trust, is 30 years old this May 🎉🎨 To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

In 1854, #ViewDay at St Bartholomew's Hospital was moved from March to May, apparently 'a less inclement season'. Last Wednesday had hail🌨️, rain🌧️ and bright sunshine☀️ - thank you to all who made it through the weather to visit our open day or try out our handling objects in the hospital square!

Two people looking at documents on display at the View Day archives open day

Archives stall in the hospital square, in one of the moments of sunshine. The banners behind the stall are tied to the gazebo to stop them blowing over in the squalls

University of Stirling Archives @unistirarchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Happy #InternationalNursesDay from us here at the NHS Forth Valley Archive! Can anyone help us date this fabulous poster from our collections?

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Tomorrow is View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which also means it's our next #Archives Open Day! 📖👀🥳 Drop in between 11am-3pm tomorrow, Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections

Poster with images of collection items and the following text:

ARCHIVES OPEN DAY 11am-3pm, WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2026 Drop in to see items from the St Bartholomew’s Hospital collection used during the Channel 5 series, ‘Our Hospital Through Time’, and other items from our collections spanning nine centuries. Come and find out more about the work of Barts Health NHS Trust Archives! Where? Trust Archives, Kenton and Lucas Block (Entrance C), St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London EC1A

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Its 100 years since the start of the General Strike, industrial action by millions of workers across Britain. Nearly 52,000 Special Constables were enrolled in London to combat expected unrest. For the 9 days of the strike many slept in the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital #GeneralStrike100

Black and white photograph showing blankets, pillows and sleeping mats laid out in closely packed rows in the 18th century Great Hall in the North Wing at St Bartholomew's Hospital. (SBHX8/559)

The St Bartholomew's Hospital Journal account of the strike arrangements note that 'the General Strike left the Hospital in relative peace' but that the Great Hall 'was converted into a doss-house, and in the morning presented a really notable experience'

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Happy St George's Day! Can't help but feel it George would have had an easier time if his dragon was made of cardboard like this one... 🐲⚔️

The photograph shows six men, one in costume as St. George, dressed in chain mail with a cross on the front, and a helmet with visor; the legs of five others can be seen underneath the painted canvas dragon costume. 'St George' is brandishing a sword at the dragon's head.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 4mo ago

It's one month until View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which means one month till our next #Archives Open Day! Drop in between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections

ARCHIVES OPEN DAY 11am-3pm, WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2026
Drop in to see items from the St Bartholomew’s Hospital collection
used during the Channel 5 series, ‘Our Hospital Through Time’, and
other items from our collections spanning nine centuries.
Come and find out more about the work of Barts Health NHS Trust
Archives!
Where? Trust Archives, Kenton and Lucas Block (Entrance C), St
Bartholomew’s Hospital, London EC1A

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 4mo ago

If you're new to our service you should know that we are more than just St Bartholomew’s. We hold over 145 collections, including over 35 hospitals as well as NHS authorities, medical & nursing schools, charities, and much more You can find a list of collections we hold here - tinyurl.com/d9ds6nhv

Photograph of two female records clerks at the London Hospital, both wearing work coats; one on a ladder is retrieving or returning an x-ray from the shelf in a wallet which reads "x-ray wallet"; the other appears to be checking files against a paper list. c1970s [RLHLH/P/2/41/6]

RCN History of Nursing Forum @rcnhistory.bsky.social · 4mo ago

As #womenshistorymonth ends - some notable nurses written by our #nursesinred group #histnursing. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatric... Matron Monk (1882 - 1962) CBE, RRC COSTJ was a nursing leader, matron of The London Hospital for 12 years and President of the College of Nursing (now RCN).

Beatrice Monk - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

RCN History of Nursing Forum @rcnhistory.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Linked to the Exhibition on Nurse Catherine Pine - our #histnursing forum chair speaking on 'Deeds not Words - the nurse suffragettes arrested 1906-1914'. Wednesday 20th May at 4:00pm BST (London Time) #histnursing All details via the link florence-nightingale.digitickets.co.uk/event-ticket...

Buy Zoom: Deeds Not Words - the Nurse Suffragettes Arrested 1906-1914 Tickets online - Florence Nightingale Museum Trust

Free online zoom with Vari M Drennan MBE on nursing & suffrage!

florence-nightingale.digitickets.co.uk

Barts Health Archives@bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

This #WomensHistoryMonth, check out the new exhibition at the Florence Nightingale Museum, 'In Focus: Nurse Catherine Pine', and find out about this St Bartholomew's Hospital nurse and her life's work in the fight for women's rights www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/exhibition-i...

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Did you spot the exhibition panels in the main entrance corridor of St Bartholomew's, in each episode of #OurHospitalThroughTime? They are a smaller version of the outdoor exhibition we mounted for #Barts900 three years ago. Explore more of the hospital's history via the online version: rb.gy/20khgd

Exhibition panels featuring images from the St Bartholomew's Hospital archives collections and stories about the history of the hospital on the wall of the main corridor in the hospital's King George V building. Two pillars to either side are decorated with Barts 900 bunting, and a man stands looking at his phone to the left of the image

Another group of exhibition panels featuring images from the St Bartholomew's Hospital archives collections and stories about the history of the hospital on the wall of the main corridor in the hospital's King George V building. The closest panel, headed 'Pioneers' features an archive image of a boy in red jumper and tights lying on his front doing exercises. A man stands in front of one of panel looking at it with his hand on his chin

Display units from the outdoor exhibition in Guildhall Yard, at the centre of the City of London. Behind the units are both medieval and modern buildings of Guildhall. Amongst the panels that can be seen are a large photograph of a hand, a photograph of the hospital's Hogarth staircase, and a black and white photograph of a female nurse pushing a male patient in a wheelchair in the square. People can be seen looking at and walking towards the display units

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Remember to watch the final episode of Our Hospital Through Time tonight at 8pm on Channel 5. There's more of us showing @profaliceroberts.bsky.social our collection items and history of St Bartholomew's Hospital! #History #Archives @bartscharity.bsky.social @bartsnorthwing.bsky.social

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Did you catch this week's episode of #OurHospitalThroughTime? Laundry has always been a vital part of the work of St Bartholomew's Hospital. In 1766, when Elizabeth Johnson was employed as washerwoman, the Governors heard complaints that laundry was often dried 'upon lines' in the Great Hall! (1/2)

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 6mo ago

If you're new to our service you should know that we are more than just St Bartholomew’s. We hold the records of more than 30 organisations, including medical schools, maternity homes, poor law infirmaries, and much more. You can find a list of collections we hold here - tinyurl.com/d9ds6nhv

Black and white photograph showing two female records clerks, both wearing work coats; one on a ladder is retrieving or returning an x-ray from the shelf in a wallet which reads "x-ray wallet"; the other appears to be checking files against a paper list.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Not sure where to start your research? We've created some guides to help users find records. So if it's nurses or art, disability history or parish records, our guides can help you find what you're looking for! www.calmview.co.uk/BartsHealth/...

Black and white photograph showing a porter standing behind a desk and directing a woman to the left. Behind the porter is a light board showing the names of doctors and professors.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

If you're interested in the history of Barts and want to find more stories, why not check out the St Bartholomew's Hospital Journal. Dates 1893 to 1974 have been digitised and can be explored here - www.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/about/ou...

Inside cover of the St Bartholomew's Hospital Journal, showing an illustration of the Henry VIII gate and the dates and publisher information. Printed on a grey/yellow/cream coloured paper.

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Remember to watch Ep4 of Our Hospital Through Time tonight at 8pm on Channel 5. There's more of us showing @profaliceroberts.bsky.social our collection items and history of St Bartholomew's Hospital! #History #Archives @bartscharity.bsky.social @bartsnorthwing.bsky.social

Barts Health Archives @bharchives.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Exhibition ‘In Focus: Nurse Catherine Pine’

In Focus: Nurse Catherine Pine Friday 6th March - Sunday 4th October The fourth exhibition of our In Focus - In Focus: Nurse Catherine Pine is now open. This exhibition gives an in depth look at t...

florence-nightingale.co.uk