Museums And Archives

The House of Words; Preserving History and Enriching Futures

Words shape debate, mend divisions, and ignite imaginations. In a world increasingly fractured by misunderstanding, the ability to communicate with clarity and empathy is more urgent than ever. Through the medium of Johnson and his household’s inspirational stories of achievement and experiences in the face of poverty, prejudice, enslavement, mental and physical illness, we will transform our learning and engagement programmes while also enhancing the care of and access to our collections and stories. 17 Gough Square is a House of Words that powerfully illustrates the power of language, friendship, and intergenerational learning. Having preserved the House and our collections, and shared them with the public through exhibitions, events, and learning programmes for over a century, we are now poised to transform our ability to inspire and empower a broad range of audiences in-person and online within a context that is genuinely authentic and representative.