Our collections are an incredible resource for all kinds of research, whether you are an artist or writer looking for inspiration, an academic researcher, or just curious about something in our exhibitions.
They contain an array of topics relating to health and the human experience in many forms, from recently published books to historical manuscripts and objects. And we’re still adding to our collections in order to encompass a greater diversity of voices and lived experiences.
Visual culture
Our collections are particularly strong in visual culture, with over 250,000 prints, paintings, drawings, photographs and digital images from the 14th century to the present. You’ll also find examples of visual culture in our ephemera collections, including stamps, advertising, trade cards and public information leaflets.
Our audio-visual collections include 20th and 21st-century public health information films, surgical training films, interviews, oral histories and broadcast radio and television programmes.