Current Maughan Library exhibition
From streets to the stars: 500 years of maps.
24 March to 28 September 2025. The Weston Room, Maughan Library, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LR
Open daily: 10.00-17.00. Free entrance
How has the world been mapped since the advent of the printed book in the late 15th century? In this exhibition we invite you to explore a range of maps from the past 500 years, from street maps of London to maps of the constellations.
We look at the role of the map in spreading geographical knowledge, demarcating national boundaries and facilitating developments in transport and medicine. Exhibits include a hand-coloured map of the world from 1548, one of Galileo’s star maps, wartime maps of Greece and Iraq, a military board game and a London map of 1855 which proved crucial in the fight against cholera.
We also explore how developments in today’s digital technologies can increase our understanding of historical maps; watch the short film at the end of the exhibition to see how 3D imaging can lead to new discoveries.
Please either download and complete an entry ticket or, alternatively, ask the Security team at the main entrance to the Maughan Library for one, and complete it on arrival.
Exhibition closure dates:
- Tuesday 29 April - closed between 14.00 and 16.00
- Thursday 8 May - closes at 16.00
- Thursday 29 May - opens at 13.00
- Thursday 12 June - opens at 11.00
- Wednesday 25 June - closed all day
- Friday 19 September - closed until 12.00
The Weston Room
We hold regular free exhibitions in the historic Weston Room at the Maughan Library, open to both King's staff and students and the wider public. Our exhibitions range widely in theme, drawing on the breadth and depth of our special collections and archives, and often also include items borrowed from other private or institutional collections.
We digitise many of our exhibitions and also create online-only exhibitions. Please visit our online exhibitions website to explore them.
The Weston Room incorporates many features from the former Chapel of the Masters of the Rolls, including three 16th and 17th century funeral monuments.
One of these is a terracotta figure of Dr Yonge (Master of the Rolls and Dean of York, who died in 1516) which was sculpted by Pietro Torrigiano (1472-1528) who also created Henry VII’s tomb in Westminster Abbey and is said to have broken Michelangelo's nose in a tavern brawl.
There are also memorials to Richard Alington (who died in 1561, a brother-in-law of a Master) and Lord Bruce of Kinloss, a Master who died in 1616.
From 1902 until 1986 the rebuilt Chapel, now deconsecrated, provided a Museum for the Public Record Office. Stained-glass windows showing the armorial bearings of some of the 17th century Masters had been preserved, and more were added in 1899.
Restoration work for King's College London has revealed a fine mosaic flooring, probably laid in 1898.
A memorial to former staff members of the Public Record Office who died in the First World War is also sited in the room.