An opportunity to enjoy a curator-led tour at the British Optical Association Museum, courtesy of incoming SIS Chair, Neil Handley, PhD, AMA, FRSA
The British Optical Association Museum at the College of Optometrists is the oldest museum of ophthalmic optics (optometry) in the world, established in 1901, and since its move almost adjacent to the Charing Cross, in 1997, it can also claim to be London’s most centrally-located museum. The SIS last visited it in 2004. By the time of our AGM a newly refurbished museum will have reopened for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, with completely new displays and a fresher, brighter look….our pictures show a work in progress, there will be objects in the cases by July!

On the first floor where the meeting will be held, attendees can expect to see the collection of paintings, ceramics, coins and medals as well as a dedicated Print Room. Downstairs we will be able to tour three reconfigured spaces containing displays of antique, vintage and modern spectacles, vision aids (such as magnifiers, lorgnettes, pince-nez and monocles), contact lenses, telescopes, opera glasses and sight-testing equipment as well as ocular prosthetics and a few other visual surprises. Once again it will live up to its reputation as ‘the museum where the exhibits look at you’.

Programme

Please meet at the British Optical Association Museum,
42 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NG