Saturday 25th May 2024
11.00am - 1.30pm
Drop in Printing session with our friendly staff and volunteers. Make art inspired by Shiloh's Cradle and Joanna Southcott.
2.30 - 3.30
Museum Director Zara Matthews will give a talk about Southcott, the importance of the cradle and the Box of Prophecies.
Replica of Joanna Southcott's Box on display
The 1857 Printing Press at the Museum
The Panacea Museum is celebrating the centenary of two important events for the Panacea Society:
The arrival of Joanna Southcott’s Cradle in Bedford, and the sending of a petition of 10,000 names to the Archbishop of Canterbury demanding the opening of Joanna Southcott’s Box of Prophecies.
The Panacea Society was a Christian community based in Bedford, and led by Mabel ‘Octavia’ Barltrop; members of the Society followed the teachings of Joanna Southcott and brought together many items associated with Joanna including the cradle, clothing, embroidery and the Box of Prophecies.
The Cradle on display at the Panacea Museum
In May 1924 the Society took possession of the cradle made specially for Joanna Southcott’s child and sent a petition of 10,000 names to the Archbishop demanding the acceptance of Joanna Southcott’s prophecies and the opening of the Box by 24 bishops.
When the last member of the Panacea Society died in 2012, the Society as a religious group came to an end; that same year the Museum first opened to the public. The Panacea Charitable Trust now looks after the former headquarters and operates the Panacea Museum.
Events on the day are drop-in, with no need to book.
Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the gardens and bring a picnic. The Tea Room will be open for drinks and snacks.
The Panacea Charitable Trust is a UK charity (no. 227530) first registered with the Charity Commission as The Panacea Society in 1926. The Trust provides grants to the local community, supports academic research, seminars, conferences and activities and operates the Panacea Museum whilst maintaining the Charity’s Archive of books, manuscripts and papers. Since 2001 the charity has supported over 100 local good causes with more than £4million of funding and that work is continuing. To find out more check the website www.panaceatrust.org
