A Unique Experience at the V&A East Storehouse

Most museums have a strict policy against touching artifacts. However, the V&A East Storehouse in London offers a rare opportunity for visitors to handle a variety of objects, from vintage clothing to ancient musical instruments.

This innovative facility opened last year as a part of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which focuses on applied and decorative arts. Due to limited space at the main museum site in West London, the Storehouse serves as a repository for over 400,000 items that are not regularly displayed. These include artworks, antique furniture, and even suits of armor.

Kate Parsons, the director of conservation, collections care and access at the V&A, explained that instead of creating a standard storage facility, the museum chose to offer ‘radical access’ to its collections. Visitors can wander among the shelves or use the Order an Object service to book private time with artifacts. Conservation experts ensure that objects are safe for handling. If items are too fragile, they are carefully laid out for close viewing or visitors are directed to sturdier pieces.

By offering this personal interaction with history, the V&A East Storehouse provides a distinctive museum experience that challenges conventional norms. This approach allows the public to connect more deeply with the rich history contained within the museum’s extensive collections.