Sherlock Holmes Museum 221b Baker Street

The Sherlock Holmes Museum 221b Baker Street London NW1 6XE  England With over 240 museums in London, there are museums on a wide range of topics. There are the traditional museums which focus on the preservation of historical artifacts, the museums which typically focus on artwork, both modern art and ancient art works, and then there are the entertaining museums. Nevertheless all museums no matter what size serve a very important function. Some would argue that the Sherlock Holmes museum is “gazing museum” with lesser value than a museum like the British Museum, while others would argue that it serves as an educational purpose where people are able to see where Sherlock Holmes “lived” during the Victorian era. It is apparent that the museum puts on a performance that deceives people into believing he was not in fact a fictional character. Therefore, the museum uses the space not only to educate and inform, but also as a stage of performance and deception.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson "lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After the novel was written, it was later turned into a museum and even recognized by her majesty. The house is protected by the government due to its "special architectural and historical interest", while the 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained for posterity as it was kept in Victorian Times. The house that houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum was built in 1808. Some question whether it can even be described a museum because it is dedicated to fictional detective. Museums are typical defined as a place where objects are exhibited. In other words one could describe the Sherlock Holmes Museum, or 221 b Baker Street, as a museum as it is a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, and even cultural interest are stored and exhibited. Nevertheless, it was a rather unique and interesting experience. Perhaps if I were more into the mysteries and adventures of Sherlock Holmes, I would be a bigger fan.

Letters written to Sherlock Holmes