Tradescant's Ark Shells

In 1629 John Tradescant the Elder leased a house on South Lambeth Road to establish his own botanic garden and museum, know as the 'Tradescant's Ark'. The Ark was the first museum in the country, open to anyone who could pay the six pence entry price. Inside was a permanent exhibition of his curiosities including shells which were a prized object at the time. The Garden Museum has a permanent display, shown here, that recreates Tradescant's Ark.