The objects the Museum cares for have been collected over almost 200 years. The collections chart the history of Order of St John, an ancient religious military order, as well as the more recent history of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in Britain – including its charitable foundations St John Ambulance and the St John Ophthalmic Hospital. The history of the Priory site and Clerkenwell also feature prominently.
The collection explores a range of themes and stories, with an emphasis on healthcare, community, education, identity, industry, youth, celebration and war across the ages. It is diverse and is made up of tens of thousands of objects, dating from antiquity to the present day, and is international in scope.
Strengths of the collection include England in the 19th and 20th centuries and early modern Malta. There is a large social history collection, including uniform, as well as fine and decorative art, medical equipment, arms and armour, coins of the crusader states and Grand Masters, and medals and insignia.
The collection supports the activities of the Museum, including displays in the galleries and in the community, public events, education and research, engaging with and inspiring families, adults, academics and the St John family.
Many of our objects are available for you to enjoy through Collections Online, as well as in the Museum galleries. We are continually adding to Collections Online so there is always something new to discover!
Projects
We are always working to find different ways to unlock the fascinating stories behind the treasures in our galleries and stores.
See our projects
Museum Catalogue
Discover a wealth of stories through the history of objects, from bandages to biscuits, swords to service medals.
Explore the Museum CollectionsFAQs
Exploring your history in our collection
If you are interested in finding out about family members who volunteered or worked with St John Ambulance or were members of the Order, you may wish to use our research guides. You may find the Family History Research Guide and Medals Information Sheet especially helpful for researching your family’s involvement with St John.
Visit the Resources page to view the full range of guides and resources.
If, having consulted our guides, you require further assistance you can submit a research enquiry or arrange to make a visit by emailing museum@sja.org.uk or calling 020 7324 4005.
Using the collection for research
A diverse selection of the museum collection is available to view through Collections Online, and we are continually adding to this resource.
If you are interested in other aspects of our collection, you can submit a research enquiry or arrange to make a visit by emailing museum@sja.org.uk or calling 020 7324 4005.
If you want to use any images of our collections for any reason, please see our Image Reproduction page.
Support us
The Museum has always relied on the generosity of the public, as well as members of the Order. Without your support, we would not be able to provide our services or carry out the work we do with our collections. The Museum does not receive regular public funding, and donations are a vital way of supporting our work through conservation, research and public access. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact us at museum@sja.org.uk.
If you are considering making an object donation to the Museum, please view our donations page for more details.
Volunteering
Volunteers make a vital contribution to the work of the Museum. When new volunteering opportunities arise, they are advertised through the St John Ambulance Volunteering portal where you can explore vacancies and sign up for alerts. If you see a role advertised and would like to arrange an informal chat to find out more please email museum@sja.org.uk.