On this day 349 years ago the City of London was being ravaged by fire in what was to become one of the most important periods in the capital’s history.
The 350th anniversary of the Great Fire, which started on September 2, 1666, will be marked in a major new exhibition at the Museum of London next year.
Aiming to improve the understanding Londoners and visitors alike have of the disaster, Fire! Fire! will take people back to 1666 to look at how London was before, during and after the blaze.
The event will examine the causes of the fire and how London was rebuilt afterwards.
Firefighting techniques from the time will be compared to the modern day, while the personal stories of Londoners who experienced the fire will be highlighted.
The exhibition will feature rarely seen artefacts from 1666 along with multimedia and hands-on displays.
An unfinished piece of embroidery reputed to have been saved from a house in Cheapside during the four-day fire will be displayed for the first time.
Museum director Sharon Ament said: “The Great Fire of London is an iconic moment in London’s history, from which modern London emerged. It had a profound impact which still resonates today.
“Whilst it is a potent story there are many myths about the Great Fire and there is a compelling story to tell from catastrophe to the reshaping of the City.
“Fire! Fire! will be a great day out which will immerse adults and children in history in the most exciting way.”
Exhibition curator Meriel Jeater said: “One may assume that nothing remains from the Great Fire of London. In actual fact some of London’s most exciting archaeological discoveries have been from the Great Fire which help us to build a picture of why the fire began and what happened during the blaze.
“Many of these finds will go on display alongside artworks from the time depicting the Great Fire.”
The exhibition will open on July 23, 2016. Tickets are available now from £8 for adults and £5 for children. Family tickets are also on sale.
See www.museumoflondon.org.uk/greatfire for further information.
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