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London: Port City runs from 22 October 2021 to 8 May 2022 at the Museum of London Docklands, itself originally part of West India Docks, London’s first enclosed dock system and a hive of activity packed with valuable cargoes from around the world from 1802 until its closure in 1980.
The exhibition will draw upon the extensive archives of the Port of London Authority (PLA) to present a nuanced picture of the complex operations that have enabled the Port to connect London to the rest of the world, from the final days of the 18th century to the creation of the huge London Gateway ‘mega port’ at Thurrock in the Thames Estuary. The exhibition will be peppered with stories, incidents, major operations, absorbing characters, technological advances, pivotal moments, surprising details and little-known facts. London: Port City will also critically explore the port from many perspectives including the legacies, results and reminders of the British Empire.
Claire Dobbin, exhibition curator, said:
“The port and its impact on London is massive - not just historically, but today. Handling over 50 million tons of cargo a year, from our morning coffee to the clothes we wear and materials for buildings we live and work in, the port plays a vital role in our daily lives and national economy. It’s moved down river – and for many of us out of sight – but the port is still very much part of London. Our riverside cityscapes are also peppered with echoes of the port’s history - in its architecture and street names. Our cultural landscape too has been shaped by centuries of global exchange – by people, products and ideas passing through the port. This influenced and enriched language, diversity and communities that underpin the city we know today.”
Robin Mortimer, PLA chief executive, said:
“The importance of the trade on the Thames has been pivotal to London’s development and will be crucial to its future success. As life gradually returns to something like normal, post the pandemic, this exhibition is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for the public to explore how the commercial river shapes all our lives. It covers all aspects of the port’s past, present and future – from the contribution of immigrants over many decades to the latest technology we use to keep river users safe. Coinciding with our refresh of the Thames Vision strategy, to make sure it remains relevant in a fast- changing world, it’s a great way to focus on how we learn from the past and make the most of future opportunities to make full use of the river’s potential.”
Exhibition highlights include:
Working together to accelerate progress towards decarbonising the Thames, the Port of London...
Four Pilots have joined the Port of London Authority (PLA)’s 123-strong team of Pilots, as the...
The Port of London Authority is pleased to announce that, following a thorough tendering process, it...