Jack the Ripper Museum

Located on Cable Street, the Jack the Ripper Museum whispers tales of terror and intrigue. This museum isn’t just a collection of artifacts. It’s a portal to the shadowy streets of Victorian London, where the infamous Jack the Ripper stalked his victims. The Jack the Ripper Museum opened in August 2015. It was founded by Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe, a former head of diversity for Google. Ironically, the museum’s planning application initially described it as a “Museum of Women’s History”. This sparked considerable controversy when the true nature of the museum was revealed. Inside the Jack the Ripper Museum, you’ll find five rooms that meticulously recreate the chilling atmosphere of 1888. One room replicates the Leman Street police station, where detectives tirelessly worked to uncover the Ripper’s identity. Another recreates the bedroom of Mary Jane Kelly, one of the Ripper’s victims. The museum also features a mock-up morgue in the basement, a somber reminder of the lives tragically lost. Among the exhibits, you’ll find the whistle used by PC Edward Watkins. He discovered the body of Catherine Eddowes and blew his whistle to summon help. His truncheon and notebook are also on display, offering a tangible connection to that fateful night. The Jack the Ripper Museum has faced its share of criticism. Many felt deceived by the initial planning application. The museum’s founder maintains he clearly stated the museum’s focus during planning discussions. He stated that it would be based on a Jack the Ripper exhibition he was involved with at the Museum of London Docklands. The building that houses the Jack the Ripper Museum was put up for sale in 2021. The museum’s future remains uncertain. Step inside, if you dare, and experience the haunting world of Jack the Ripper.