Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

The College museum comprises a unique collection of obstetric, midwifery, surgical and gynaecological instruments and artefacts spanning over four hundred years. This collection has been built up from a series of gifts and acquisitions since the foundation of the College.

500 Years: The Birth of Modern Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a semi-permanent exhibition of objects, together with items from the library and archive collections, which has been mounted in the Education Centre of the College. This interactive display, which includes touch screens, video clips, and audio, takes the visitor through five hundred years of innovation in the specialty. Items are drawn together into 22 subject themes from anatomy to IVF. The biographies of 54 key characters in the field, from Virginia Apgar to Percival Willughby, can also be found on the touch screens.

The development of this exhibition was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Clore Duffield Foundation.

For more information or to make an appointment to see either the exhibition or the reserve collection please contact museum@rcog.org.uk

The College Library holds a unique collection of books, reports and journals relating to clinical obstetrics and gynaecology. The collection includes over 2000 volumes published between 1500 and 1900. The catalogue early printed books can be accessed at: http://www.rcog.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=93.

The College's Archive includes records of the foundation of the College, Council and committee minutes, papers of special reports, surveys and projects. The archive catalogue can be accessed at: http://www.rcog.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=95.

The Library and Archive collections can be accessed by researchers by appointment.