Today was an interesting day because we spent it doing something that is unusual in the US. Brandy, Callie Ann, and I spent our morning touring The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and its Museum & Archives across the street.
The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children opened as the Hospital for Sick Children in 1852 with 10 beds. The hospital quickly became popular and Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and J.M. Barrie (just to drop a few names) were some of the first "celebrities" to pledge their support of the hospital.
J.M. Barrie was a supporter of the hospital for many years, and in 1929 he gave all the rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Upon his death in 1937 this gift was confirmed. Even though the copyright has expired, the hospital continues to recieve royalties from the production of plays and sale of Peter Pan products. Barrie requested that the hospital never reveal how much money is raised from the royalties, something they continue to protect to this day.
Across the street from the hospital is the Museum & Archives. You need an appointment to visit, but it is well worth it. The space is tiny, but the information is overwhelming!
Thank you to Christine de Poortere and Nicholas Baldwin for our tour of the hospital and archives. We were unable to video record at the hospital and archives, but we were allowed to take photos of certain items and displays. Enjoy!
Check out our video here:
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