Jonjon explores Nottingham… “William Booth Birthplace Museum”

Glance: "William Booth Birthplace Museum"

Remember how I’ve promised to explore attractions both ‘big and obscure’? Today we’re getting really into this obscure part. But a humble beginning can also turn into something big.

Now given that William Booth founded the Salvation Army, this humility is well justified.

The birthplace is at the outskirt of East Nottingham (Sneinton) and requires a twenty-minute walk from city centre. It’s at the foot of Green’s Mill, so plan your itinerary wisely. The birthplace is now a biographical museum with period items and furniture. It operates together with an SA’s community centre just beside it. Staffers there can arrange out-of-hour visits (especially because it officially opens on Tuesday to Thursday only) but a booking e.g. through email is required in both cases. They'll introduce the whole thing and answer all your curiosity regarding Booth, SA or what the centre's planning to do. Hint: tearing down and putting up some new buildings.

Now let’s get down to our dissection.

See for yourself: "William Booth Birthplace Museum"

1. Yet another example of soundscape speakers that can get you round the corner (if you want to try out something similar and have healthy heartbeats – try Harrow’s Headstone Museum). Check out e.g. the parlour, where children are giggling from a drawer. A curation choice that can turn every visit into a Halloween jump-scare experience.

2. You’ll find yourself going through the life of Booth starting from his Nottingham years of the mid-nineteenth century. Which means it’s an unfortunate time to witness one of the biggest slums in England’s history, comparable to East London’s. It’s only natural then, that Booth is to be inspired by Wesley’s Methodism given they’re both interested in the poor and religion within the everyday living.

Booth converted to Methodism and moved to East London before he started Salvation Army.

3. If you’re keen to follow his timeline – do start from the ground floor and have a look at the list of rooms at the staircase. Then follow the list exactly as is printed.

Time is asset: come join my 25-min museum tour. Or find yourself in my novel, check out the photo of the day and finish it off with a secret prize.

Tags - in_depth_tourism; museum; London_writer; London_travel; indie_writer; independent_blogger