
The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley
Edward Jenner - The Man Who Changed the World
The
Chantry, an elegant Grade 2* Listed Queen Anne house, is the former
home of Dr Edward Jenner (1749-1823). His house lies in the historic
town of Berkeley, 15 miles north of Bristol. From here in 1796 Jenner
invented vaccination (against smallpox), a discovery which 'has saved
more lives than the work of any other man'.
His house, now
a fascinating Museum, celebrates his life and legacy. The museum
collections reflect personal and domestic aspects of the Jenner family:
Jenner's spectacles, a lock of his hair, and family christening robes;
and interactives exploring the science of immunology. In the grounds
are 'The Temple of Vaccinia' - where Jenner vaccinated the local poor
free of charge; The Sasakawa Conference Centre, a former coachman's
house; and Jenner's Vinery.
Edward Jenner's interests
however existed far beyond medicine. He explored ballooning, the
behaviour and anatomy of cuckoos, geology, and heart disease.
In
Jenner's day, it is estimated that up to 10% of the population of
Europe died of smallpox each year. During the 20th century more than
300 million deaths were attributable to smallpox. The last death from
smallpox in the UK was in 1978. Following Jenner's research, the WHO
declared the world free of smallpox in 1980. The global spread of
HIV/AIDS, the recent SARS outbreak, and the threatened bird flu
pandemic have brought the benefits of vaccination once again into sharp
focus.
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Admission £4.25, £3.50 concs, £2.50 child, £10.75 family (year round group rate available)
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Open Apr - end June Tues - Sat 12.30pm - 5.30pm, Sun 1pm - 5.30pm | July - end August Mon - Sun 12.30pm - 5.30pm, Sun 1-5.30pm | Oct Sun 1pm - 5.30pm | open
bank hols | Allow 1hr for a visit |
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The Chantry, Church Lane, Berkeley GL13 9BN
Close to town centre. J13/14 M5, brown signs from A38 & B4066
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Tel: 01453 810631 | manager@jennermuseum.com | www.jennermuseum.com
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