The Fan Museum

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Yesterday I visited the Fan Museum in Greenwich, and found out more information than I ever thought existed about fans. It’s the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to fans, and has more than 4,000 fans in its collection. It opened in 1991 in a restored 18th century Grade II listed building in Greenwich town centre.

The permanent collection displays notable and interesting fans and fan-related paraphernalia, as well as information about the different kinds of fans in existence and the materials and techniques used in their construction. Interesting items include a fan painting by Paul Gaugin and a ceremonial Chinese fixed fan.

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The museum has a programme of temporary exhibitions and the current exhibition is called The Fan in Europe: 1800-1850. Most fans in this period were relatively small and there are some absolutely exquisite examples of fans on display. This is one of them.

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If you’re in Greenwich, it’s worth taking a break from the big attractions and paying a visit to this little specialist museum.

FACTS

Address: 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ER

Website: thefanmuseum.org.uk

Opening Hours: 11am-5pm Tues-Sat; 12pm-5pm Sun

Prices: Adults £4, concessions and children £3

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