Delve deeper into our collection of more than 2.5 million objects on our specialist tours and talks series, led by one of our expert curators, researchers or conservators.

The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre is home to Royal Museums Greenwich's stored collections and state-of-the-art conservation studios. Since the development of our new collections centre in 2018, we are able to share our hidden treasures with the public, and showcase the skills and expertise of our conservation and storage teams.

Our specialist tours and talks will be centred around a different theme or topic each time – find out more about the talks on offer below.

Guardians of the Coast - Celebrating 200 Years of the RNLI  

Thursday 25 January 2024, 7pm-8.30pm

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution have been saving lives at sea for 200 years in 2024. To celebrate this anniversary, join Lloyds Register Foundation Assistant Curator of Contemporary Maritime Aimee Mook in the stores as she uncovers both historical and contemporary objects that tell the stories of such a vital organisation.

One of the stories we will be delving into is of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper's daughter born on 24 November, 1815 in Northumberland. She became a celebrated heroine for her involvement with the rescue of the steamship Forfarshire, on 7 September 1838. She remains an iconic figure, symbolizing the bravery and selflessness of those involved in maritime rescue efforts.

Grace was the first woman to receive a medal from the RNLI, recognising her as a shining example of the organization's mission to save lives at sea. 

In addition, Assistant Curator Aimee Mook will be choosing some of her favourite objects amongst our collection, including highlighting some of our contemporary photographs and stories of the RNLI's volunteers.