Bethlem Museum of the Mind
@bethlemmuseum.bsky.social
A museum dedicated to the history of mental healthcare. Free admission.
Current exhibition - Crisis Point 02 April-09 August 2025
Current exhibition - Crisis Point 02 April-09 August 2025
#armisticeday
During WWII, the Maudsley Hospital split locations to Sutton & Mill Hill to avoid London air raids. Dr Eric Guttmann, a German-Jewish psychiatrist, faced internment as an "enemy national" despite 6 years at the Maudsley 🔗 bit.ly/482mPME
Images:
Workshop at Mill Hill
Dr Eric Guttmann
During WWII, the Maudsley Hospital split locations to Sutton & Mill Hill to avoid London air raids. Dr Eric Guttmann, a German-Jewish psychiatrist, faced internment as an "enemy national" despite 6 years at the Maudsley 🔗 bit.ly/482mPME
Images:
Workshop at Mill Hill
Dr Eric Guttmann
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#armisticeday
During WWII, the Maudsley Hospital split locations to Sutton & Mill Hill to avoid London air raids. Dr Eric Guttmann, a German-Jewish psychiatrist, faced internment as an "enemy national" despite 6 years at the Maudsley 🔗 bit.ly/482mPME
Images:
Workshop at Mill Hill
Dr Eric Guttmann
During WWII, the Maudsley Hospital split locations to Sutton & Mill Hill to avoid London air raids. Dr Eric Guttmann, a German-Jewish psychiatrist, faced internment as an "enemy national" despite 6 years at the Maudsley 🔗 bit.ly/482mPME
Images:
Workshop at Mill Hill
Dr Eric Guttmann
📜 “They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me.”
#OnThisDay in 1684, the playwright Nathaniel Lee was confined to Bethlem Hospital. Lee’s mental health struggles made him both a patient and a public spectacle, and his story ended tragically in 1692 🔗 bit.ly/491G5uN
#OnThisDay in 1684, the playwright Nathaniel Lee was confined to Bethlem Hospital. Lee’s mental health struggles made him both a patient and a public spectacle, and his story ended tragically in 1692 🔗 bit.ly/491G5uN
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
📜 “They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me.”
#OnThisDay in 1684, the playwright Nathaniel Lee was confined to Bethlem Hospital. Lee’s mental health struggles made him both a patient and a public spectacle, and his story ended tragically in 1692 🔗 bit.ly/491G5uN
#OnThisDay in 1684, the playwright Nathaniel Lee was confined to Bethlem Hospital. Lee’s mental health struggles made him both a patient and a public spectacle, and his story ended tragically in 1692 🔗 bit.ly/491G5uN
#RemembranceSunday
In the summer of 1916, Bethlem Royal Hospital hosted a garden party for wounded WWI soldiers. Guests were treated to "good tea, a famous band, and a variety concert of the richest and best". Watch the full 12 minute silent film of the day here 📽️ youtu.be/1OneTOeunhY
In the summer of 1916, Bethlem Royal Hospital hosted a garden party for wounded WWI soldiers. Guests were treated to "good tea, a famous band, and a variety concert of the richest and best". Watch the full 12 minute silent film of the day here 📽️ youtu.be/1OneTOeunhY
Wounded Soldiers' Day, 1916
A summer garden party for wounded soldiers filmed for Bethlem Hospital by Mr Pearce of the Essenay Company (ref. WSD-01).
Read more about the first World War and the Maudsley on our blog here:…
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#RemembranceSunday
In the summer of 1916, Bethlem Royal Hospital hosted a garden party for wounded WWI soldiers. Guests were treated to "good tea, a famous band, and a variety concert of the richest and best". Watch the full 12 minute silent film of the day here 📽️ youtu.be/1OneTOeunhY
In the summer of 1916, Bethlem Royal Hospital hosted a garden party for wounded WWI soldiers. Guests were treated to "good tea, a famous band, and a variety concert of the richest and best". Watch the full 12 minute silent film of the day here 📽️ youtu.be/1OneTOeunhY
Only 2 weeks left of our Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition 😱!
The exhibition space is dominated by Kate McDonnell’s immense installation Night Tides, which evokes the restlessness of insomnia.
It's totally FREE and utterly mesmerising ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐⋆
bit.ly/visitmotm
#nighttides #insomnia #dreams
The exhibition space is dominated by Kate McDonnell’s immense installation Night Tides, which evokes the restlessness of insomnia.
It's totally FREE and utterly mesmerising ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐⋆
bit.ly/visitmotm
#nighttides #insomnia #dreams
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Only 2 weeks left of our Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition 😱!
The exhibition space is dominated by Kate McDonnell’s immense installation Night Tides, which evokes the restlessness of insomnia.
It's totally FREE and utterly mesmerising ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐⋆
bit.ly/visitmotm
#nighttides #insomnia #dreams
The exhibition space is dominated by Kate McDonnell’s immense installation Night Tides, which evokes the restlessness of insomnia.
It's totally FREE and utterly mesmerising ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐⋆
bit.ly/visitmotm
#nighttides #insomnia #dreams
🎇 Louis Wain's Kaleidoscope Cats are like bursts of feline fireworks: vivid, surreal, and hypnotic. It's often claimed these works reflect his mental decline, but there's no evidence that the paintings are related to each other and all are undated.
😺 bit.ly/WainMyth
#louiswain #kaleidoscopecats
😺 bit.ly/WainMyth
#louiswain #kaleidoscopecats
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
🎇 Louis Wain's Kaleidoscope Cats are like bursts of feline fireworks: vivid, surreal, and hypnotic. It's often claimed these works reflect his mental decline, but there's no evidence that the paintings are related to each other and all are undated.
😺 bit.ly/WainMyth
#louiswain #kaleidoscopecats
😺 bit.ly/WainMyth
#louiswain #kaleidoscopecats
Bringing the kids? Be sure to cosy up in our story time pod! Part of the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition until 22 November 📚‧₊˚☁️ ♡🪐⋆
#betweensleepingandwaking #FreeExhibition #freelondonmuseum #mentalhealth #dreams #sleep
#betweensleepingandwaking #FreeExhibition #freelondonmuseum #mentalhealth #dreams #sleep
November 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Bringing the kids? Be sure to cosy up in our story time pod! Part of the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition until 22 November 📚‧₊˚☁️ ♡🪐⋆
#betweensleepingandwaking #FreeExhibition #freelondonmuseum #mentalhealth #dreams #sleep
#betweensleepingandwaking #FreeExhibition #freelondonmuseum #mentalhealth #dreams #sleep
#OnThisDay in 1977 the artist William Kurelek died. His 1953 autobiographical painting, The Maze, painted during his time as a patient at the Maudsley Hospital, continues to captivate visitors to Bethlem Museum of the Mind. Discover this intriguing artwork here: bit.ly/MOTMMaze
November 2, 2025 at 5:13 PM
#OnThisDay in 1977 the artist William Kurelek died. His 1953 autobiographical painting, The Maze, painted during his time as a patient at the Maudsley Hospital, continues to captivate visitors to Bethlem Museum of the Mind. Discover this intriguing artwork here: bit.ly/MOTMMaze
We look pretty good when the nights start drawing in ☺️🌙✨🍂
🔗 bit.ly/visitmotm
#autumn #bethlemmuseumofthemind
🔗 bit.ly/visitmotm
#autumn #bethlemmuseumofthemind
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
We look pretty good when the nights start drawing in ☺️🌙✨🍂
🔗 bit.ly/visitmotm
#autumn #bethlemmuseumofthemind
🔗 bit.ly/visitmotm
#autumn #bethlemmuseumofthemind
There's only one month left of Between Sleeping and Waking at Bethlem Museum of the Mind! This hauntingly beautiful exhibition features art by Bethlem Hospital patients and others spanning over 200 years.
Image: Dream Flight by Allan Beveridge
#bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreamart #dreamdiaries
Image: Dream Flight by Allan Beveridge
#bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreamart #dreamdiaries
October 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
There's only one month left of Between Sleeping and Waking at Bethlem Museum of the Mind! This hauntingly beautiful exhibition features art by Bethlem Hospital patients and others spanning over 200 years.
Image: Dream Flight by Allan Beveridge
#bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreamart #dreamdiaries
Image: Dream Flight by Allan Beveridge
#bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreamart #dreamdiaries
Museum exclusive! This book presents 20 artworks by Charlotte Johnson-Wahl from her year at the Maudsley Hospital in the 1970s. Insights from Colin Gale, Director of the Museum of the Mind, and Charlotte’s daughter, Rachel Johnson, highlight the artist's life & legacy. Buy here: bit.ly/4o3RnU6.
Charlotte Johnson Wahl What It Felt Like
Charlotte Johnson Wahl at the Maudsley Hospital Exhibition booklet. All pictures © the estate of Charlotte Johnson Wahl All text © named authors, 2024 64 pages 200x200mm
bit.ly
October 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Museum exclusive! This book presents 20 artworks by Charlotte Johnson-Wahl from her year at the Maudsley Hospital in the 1970s. Insights from Colin Gale, Director of the Museum of the Mind, and Charlotte’s daughter, Rachel Johnson, highlight the artist's life & legacy. Buy here: bit.ly/4o3RnU6.
🕰️ Don't forget the clocks go back tonight! You get an extra hour tomorrow to plan your next visit to Bethlem Museum of the Mind 😊 We're open every Wednesday-Saturday 9:30-5pm, so there's plenty of 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 to visit us bit.ly/visitmotm
#clocksgoback #autumn #greenwichmeantime
#clocksgoback #autumn #greenwichmeantime
October 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🕰️ Don't forget the clocks go back tonight! You get an extra hour tomorrow to plan your next visit to Bethlem Museum of the Mind 😊 We're open every Wednesday-Saturday 9:30-5pm, so there's plenty of 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 to visit us bit.ly/visitmotm
#clocksgoback #autumn #greenwichmeantime
#clocksgoback #autumn #greenwichmeantime
💡 Looking for something inspirational, unusual, and free to do in London today? Visit Bethlem Museum of the Mind! You'll discover over 750 years of mental health history, fascinating art, the mystery of dreams, and beautiful nature in the grounds (lots of mushrooms to spot! 🍄)
bit.ly/visitmotm
bit.ly/visitmotm
October 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM
💡 Looking for something inspirational, unusual, and free to do in London today? Visit Bethlem Museum of the Mind! You'll discover over 750 years of mental health history, fascinating art, the mystery of dreams, and beautiful nature in the grounds (lots of mushrooms to spot! 🍄)
bit.ly/visitmotm
bit.ly/visitmotm
📆 This week marks 778 years since Simon FitzMary gave land at Bishopsgate to the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem, founding what became Bethlem Hospital, the world’s first institution dedicated to mental health care. 1/3
October 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
📆 This week marks 778 years since Simon FitzMary gave land at Bishopsgate to the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem, founding what became Bethlem Hospital, the world’s first institution dedicated to mental health care. 1/3
🚶➡️ There's still a couple of tickets left for the History Walk with Bethlem Gallery this Saturday! But be quick they go fast .... bit.ly/4qoSQ95
Keep up with all our events on our website 🔗 bit.ly/42N9kh7
Keep up with all our events on our website 🔗 bit.ly/42N9kh7
Bethlem History Walk
Historical walk around Bethlem Royal Hospital site
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
🚶➡️ There's still a couple of tickets left for the History Walk with Bethlem Gallery this Saturday! But be quick they go fast .... bit.ly/4qoSQ95
Keep up with all our events on our website 🔗 bit.ly/42N9kh7
Keep up with all our events on our website 🔗 bit.ly/42N9kh7
🍏Happy Apple Day! 🍎
(The floating banners are part of Bethany Williams’s exhibition at @bethlemgallery - This Wild, Achingly Beautiful Place.)
#appleday #orchard #apples #bethlemmuseumofthemind
(The floating banners are part of Bethany Williams’s exhibition at @bethlemgallery - This Wild, Achingly Beautiful Place.)
#appleday #orchard #apples #bethlemmuseumofthemind
October 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
🍏Happy Apple Day! 🍎
(The floating banners are part of Bethany Williams’s exhibition at @bethlemgallery - This Wild, Achingly Beautiful Place.)
#appleday #orchard #apples #bethlemmuseumofthemind
(The floating banners are part of Bethany Williams’s exhibition at @bethlemgallery - This Wild, Achingly Beautiful Place.)
#appleday #orchard #apples #bethlemmuseumofthemind
A new week begins & we're excited to welcome our Learning groups, room hirers & visitors!
Pop into the shop while you're here - there are plenty of gifts to get you started on your seasonal shopping!
🎁Special Offer! Spend £8 & get a free advent calendar!
#adventcalendar #bethlemmuseumofthemind
Pop into the shop while you're here - there are plenty of gifts to get you started on your seasonal shopping!
🎁Special Offer! Spend £8 & get a free advent calendar!
#adventcalendar #bethlemmuseumofthemind
October 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A new week begins & we're excited to welcome our Learning groups, room hirers & visitors!
Pop into the shop while you're here - there are plenty of gifts to get you started on your seasonal shopping!
🎁Special Offer! Spend £8 & get a free advent calendar!
#adventcalendar #bethlemmuseumofthemind
Pop into the shop while you're here - there are plenty of gifts to get you started on your seasonal shopping!
🎁Special Offer! Spend £8 & get a free advent calendar!
#adventcalendar #bethlemmuseumofthemind
Step into the dream like atmosphere of 'Between Sleeping and Waking' today at Bethlem Museum of the Mind ⋆.˚☁️⋆
Featuring Kate McDonnell’s immersive installation Night Tides, which evokes the fragmented thoughts and whispered prayers of insomnia.
Free entry. Open Wed-Sat.
#DreamVibes #NightTides
Featuring Kate McDonnell’s immersive installation Night Tides, which evokes the fragmented thoughts and whispered prayers of insomnia.
Free entry. Open Wed-Sat.
#DreamVibes #NightTides
October 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Step into the dream like atmosphere of 'Between Sleeping and Waking' today at Bethlem Museum of the Mind ⋆.˚☁️⋆
Featuring Kate McDonnell’s immersive installation Night Tides, which evokes the fragmented thoughts and whispered prayers of insomnia.
Free entry. Open Wed-Sat.
#DreamVibes #NightTides
Featuring Kate McDonnell’s immersive installation Night Tides, which evokes the fragmented thoughts and whispered prayers of insomnia.
Free entry. Open Wed-Sat.
#DreamVibes #NightTides
Sometimes there are no words. Olivia Gillow’s painting ‘Cradle Soap’, on display at Bethlem Museum of the Mind, has helped visitors to understand OCD in a way that words could not have done.
#GettingIt #TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek #ocdawareness
#GettingIt #TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek #ocdawareness
October 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Sometimes there are no words. Olivia Gillow’s painting ‘Cradle Soap’, on display at Bethlem Museum of the Mind, has helped visitors to understand OCD in a way that words could not have done.
#GettingIt #TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek #ocdawareness
#GettingIt #TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek #ocdawareness
We're inspired by the resilience and artistic vision of Charlotte Johnson Wahl, an OCD sufferer and Maudsley Hospital resident in the 1970s. This OCD Awareness Week we have a new addition to the Museum’s collections - Johnson Wahl's vibrant painting 'Morning Group'.
#TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek
#TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek
October 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
We're inspired by the resilience and artistic vision of Charlotte Johnson Wahl, an OCD sufferer and Maudsley Hospital resident in the 1970s. This OCD Awareness Week we have a new addition to the Museum’s collections - Johnson Wahl's vibrant painting 'Morning Group'.
#TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek
#TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek
Have you visited the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition? We want to hear from you! 🫵
Take this 5-minute survey to share your feedback and help us continue to improve our programming uk.culturecounts.cc/s/2sJn5j
Thank you 🙏
#betweensleepingandwaking #bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreams
Take this 5-minute survey to share your feedback and help us continue to improve our programming uk.culturecounts.cc/s/2sJn5j
Thank you 🙏
#betweensleepingandwaking #bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreams
October 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Have you visited the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition? We want to hear from you! 🫵
Take this 5-minute survey to share your feedback and help us continue to improve our programming uk.culturecounts.cc/s/2sJn5j
Thank you 🙏
#betweensleepingandwaking #bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreams
Take this 5-minute survey to share your feedback and help us continue to improve our programming uk.culturecounts.cc/s/2sJn5j
Thank you 🙏
#betweensleepingandwaking #bethlemmuseumofthemind #dreams
359 years ago today, on 14 September 1666, the first meeting of the Court of Governors was held at Bethlem. An excerpt (with only two commas in the entire piece!) from the Minutes explains that this was because of a "fierce & lamentable" fire at Bridewell Hospital.
#onthisday #londonhistory
#onthisday #londonhistory
September 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
359 years ago today, on 14 September 1666, the first meeting of the Court of Governors was held at Bethlem. An excerpt (with only two commas in the entire piece!) from the Minutes explains that this was because of a "fierce & lamentable" fire at Bridewell Hospital.
#onthisday #londonhistory
#onthisday #londonhistory
Ever thought about keeping a dream diary?
Bethlem psychiatrist Edward Hare kept dream records spanning 60 years! Entries range from the mundane to the magical, from the 1930s to the 1990s. Discover these diaries in the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition, on now!
‧₊˚☁️☾⋅☁️˚₊‧
bit.ly/MOTM_dreams
Bethlem psychiatrist Edward Hare kept dream records spanning 60 years! Entries range from the mundane to the magical, from the 1930s to the 1990s. Discover these diaries in the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition, on now!
‧₊˚☁️☾⋅☁️˚₊‧
bit.ly/MOTM_dreams
September 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Ever thought about keeping a dream diary?
Bethlem psychiatrist Edward Hare kept dream records spanning 60 years! Entries range from the mundane to the magical, from the 1930s to the 1990s. Discover these diaries in the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition, on now!
‧₊˚☁️☾⋅☁️˚₊‧
bit.ly/MOTM_dreams
Bethlem psychiatrist Edward Hare kept dream records spanning 60 years! Entries range from the mundane to the magical, from the 1930s to the 1990s. Discover these diaries in the Between Sleeping and Waking exhibition, on now!
‧₊˚☁️☾⋅☁️˚₊‧
bit.ly/MOTM_dreams
6 September every year is National Read a Book Day! What better excuse to curl up with a book in our reading nook in the Between Sleeping & Waking exhibition 📖💫 Or browse the Museum's library for some reading inspiration 📚
Open today until 5pm!
#betweensleepingandwaking #nationalreadabookday
Open today until 5pm!
#betweensleepingandwaking #nationalreadabookday
September 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
6 September every year is National Read a Book Day! What better excuse to curl up with a book in our reading nook in the Between Sleeping & Waking exhibition 📖💫 Or browse the Museum's library for some reading inspiration 📚
Open today until 5pm!
#betweensleepingandwaking #nationalreadabookday
Open today until 5pm!
#betweensleepingandwaking #nationalreadabookday
On 24 August 1815, 122 Bethlem patients were taken across London in Hackney carriages from Moorfields to the new Bethlem Hospital site at St George’s Fields (pictured).
Remarkably, the move took place without any incidents or accidents, and cost the hospital around £18.
#OnThisDay
Remarkably, the move took place without any incidents or accidents, and cost the hospital around £18.
#OnThisDay
August 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
On 24 August 1815, 122 Bethlem patients were taken across London in Hackney carriages from Moorfields to the new Bethlem Hospital site at St George’s Fields (pictured).
Remarkably, the move took place without any incidents or accidents, and cost the hospital around £18.
#OnThisDay
Remarkably, the move took place without any incidents or accidents, and cost the hospital around £18.
#OnThisDay
We can't wait for another Saturday of Between Sleeping and Waking - the response has been amazing, thank you to everyone who has visited so far!
We have the perfect cosy reading nook for visitors of all ages, make sure to stop by and read one of our bedtime stories ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
Open Wed-Sat 9:30-5pm.
We have the perfect cosy reading nook for visitors of all ages, make sure to stop by and read one of our bedtime stories ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
Open Wed-Sat 9:30-5pm.
August 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
We can't wait for another Saturday of Between Sleeping and Waking - the response has been amazing, thank you to everyone who has visited so far!
We have the perfect cosy reading nook for visitors of all ages, make sure to stop by and read one of our bedtime stories ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
Open Wed-Sat 9:30-5pm.
We have the perfect cosy reading nook for visitors of all ages, make sure to stop by and read one of our bedtime stories ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
Open Wed-Sat 9:30-5pm.