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Medical Menagerie

, –
  • Free
  • Session
  • Limited audio description
  • Hearing loop
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Relaxed
A photograph of people standing around a table looking at materials. Several old books of varying size are resting in foam holders.
An event in the Viewing Room at Wellcome Collection, Photo: Steven Pocock. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

What you’ll do

Join us for a session celebrating the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals through time.

‘Bestiaries’ were detailed medieval encyclopedias of animals, real and imagined. In this session inspired by medieval bestiaries, we’ll display archival materials from our collection related to animals.

From the symbolism of unicorns to the roles of fruit flies, rabbits and guide dogs in scientific discovery and everyday life, we’ll contemplate the evolving ways that animals shape our lives and health.

You’ll also have the opportunity to craft your own bestiary in the form of a zine.

The display will include some images related to historical animal testing. They will be displayed separately so you can decide if viewing them is right for you.

Dates

, –
Just turn up

Need to know

Location

We’ll be in the Viewing Room. It’s next to the Library entrance on level 2, which you can reach by taking the lift or the stairs.

Drop in

Just turn up to this event. It's likely to have room for everyone.

Limited audio description

The host and speakers will describe themselves and key visual elements they refer to. There will not be a separate audio description track.

Hearing loop

There will be a hearing loop at this event.

Wheelchair accessible

This event is wheelchair accessible, which means people in wheelchairs can access the location with relative ease.

Relaxed

This is a relaxed event, which means that if you need to, you are welcome to move around and make noise at any time.

For more information, please visit our Accessibility page. If you have any queries about accessibility, please email us at access@wellcomecollection.org or call

Our event terms and conditions

About your facilitators

Black and white photograph of the head and shoulders of a young woman with short dark hair and round glasses. The woman is looking up and to the right.

Polly Bodetto

(she/they)

Polly is a Library Experience and Engagement Facilitator at Wellcome with a background in Art History. They have a keen interest in folklore, mythology, and comparative religions. When they are not at Wellcome, they can be found picking up trinkets off the forest floor.

Sarah Dabbs

Sarah Dabbs

(she/her)

Sarah is a Visitor Experience & Engagement Facilitator at Wellcome Collection, a medical doctor and a writer. She loves all things medical history, especially around medieval concepts of medicine, Georgian and Dickensian London, and maritime folklore.