Museums typically enforce a strict ‘no touching’ policy. However, the V&A East Storehouse in London offers a unique experience. Visitors can interact directly with artifacts, including vintage clothing, modern designs, and ancient musical instruments.

Opened a year ago, the V&A East Storehouse serves as a storage facility for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s extensive collection of applied and decorative arts. The main site in West London has limited space, necessitating storage for over 400,000 items such as artworks, antique furniture, and armor.

Instead of a typical warehouse, the Storehouse invites the public to enjoy ‘radical access’ to its collections. Visitors can browse items on shelves or book appointments to get closer to specific artifacts through the ‘Order an Object’ service. Each item undergoes evaluation by conservators to determine if it’s safe for handling. Delicate pieces are displayed for close examination, or visitors are guided to more robust items.

The initiative, led by Kate Parsons, the V&A’s director of conservation, collections care and access, emphasizes direct interaction with historical treasures. This approach aims to enhance public engagement with the museum’s vast and varied collections.

Images of the V&A East Storehouse show over 400,000 items stored away from the main site. Among these artifacts is a 19th-century bust and ‘Virgin and Child with Five Angels’ from circa 1450. These treasures illustrate the diversity and historical significance of the Storehouse’s offerings.