News - Page 2 of 3 - True Crime Museum

Looking SHARP

13th June 201913th June 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

Looking SHARP! Swordsticks (or swordcanes) are just what they sound like – a hidden blade, disguised as a cane. They were popular self-defence weapons in the 1800s, although the concept of a swordstick well precedes the Victorian era, with evidence of them being found in Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back as far as 1334 B.C. Their rise to popularity in Victorian England, however, was due to swords becoming less socially acceptable to wear in public. Those who wanted to continue carrying a sword had to disguise them to get away with it – many of the aristocracy were included in this and the cane was the perfect accompaniment to the developing fashions of the time. Unfortunately, as you can imagine, it wasn’t without incident when just about everyone carried a weapon. A Victorian gentleman named Herbert Bowman is a prime example of this – he was traveling through London and emerged from the Tower Pedestrian Subway in Westminster to be accosted by a ‘Vagrant begging for money’. Herbert pulled the...

That’s the spirit!

6th June 20196th June 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

That's the Spirit! Today is a very special day! It might not be BLINDINGLY obvious why, so we’ll tell you… It’s National Moonshine Day! The term Moonshine is generally used to refer to high proof alcohol, usually homemade and illicit! The most common spirit under this name is typically made from corn mash – it is defined as ‘unaged whiskey’ by the American government. It has a curious and well-documented history. The Moonshine we all know and love came to prominence during prohibition-era America, where it was illegally distilled and distributed to the very THIRSTY crowds in speakeasies and home bars. The country was rife with illegal smuggling and even rifer with poor quality alcohol – as the spirit was made in people’s homemade stills (a piece of equipment used in alcohol production), it often picked up dangerous trace elements from the ramshackle pieces they used to cobble it together. A pot still works by heating the fermented corn mash so the alcohol (Ethanol) vapours evaporate. These vapours travel through a tube to another container where they...

A Cracking Tale…

27th March 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

In the spirit of our Trail of the Golden Goose event, we thought we should be talking about an eggciting crime (sorry for the bad yolk (sorry again)). Have you ever heard of Faberge eggs? Faberge eggs are glitzy globes of jewel-encrusted precious metals. Originally manufactured for Russian Royalty between 1885 – 1917, they each contained a ‘surprise’ – in one case a 1/16th golden model of the imperial carriage painstakingly crafted over 13 months! They had been presented annually by the Tsar to the Tsarina, often as Easter gifts. Not the kind of egg you’d want on your toast, unless you plan on losing a few teeth! The Coronation Egg - complete with tiny carriage! The Faberge family made more than just eggs though, with high-end jewellery and clocks in their catalogue as well. In 2014, one man walked (well, stumbled) into Christie’s Auction House in Central London. He made his way to fourth floor where he found a safe – after rooting through some unlocked drawers he found the key to...

Curator’s Reviews! Killing Charlie

26th March 201926th March 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

In 2015 we had the honour of welcoming LEGENDARY author WENSLEY CLARKSON onto the True CRIME Museum stage for our KINGS OF CRIME night. He fascinated an audience of over 100 with some astonishing tales about British criminals including Great Train Robber, Charlie Wilson. Our Curator Joel Griggs read Clarkson’s account of Wilson’s complex life and gives his verdict below… IN A NUTSHELL: “Killing Charlie” describes the life of a professional, old-school CRIMINAL. Drama abounds, with jail-breaks, precisely planned heists, a corrupt establishment and a coke deal gone wrong. This is also a very intimate and HUMAN story and much interest lies in the chapters where, like us all, Wilson struggles to make finances and relationships work. From ‘largin’ it’ in 1960’s London to ignoble execution poolside on the Costa Del Sol, Wilson chose to live a life of crime. Sensitive and balanced in its account, “Killing Charlie” also suggests that crime chose him. CRIME TIP I LEARNED FROM THIS BOOK: Poke fun at Ron Kray’s paunch… spill beer on Jihadi...

Mum’s The Word!

17th March 201928th February 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

We’re looking forward to Mother’s Day at the end of this month – are you? We think that Mums deserve the best, and if they love True CRIME – we’re it! That’s why we’ll be celebrating with a very special offer – Mums go FREE this Mother’s Day! That’s right, you can get your Mum into the Museum by grabbing one of our Mother’s Day tickets here. So, if you want to get your Crime loving Mum a KILLER gift this Mother’s Day, bring her down! ...

The Kray’s Boxing Gloves

10th March 201928th February 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

The Krays were notoriously big on boxing, showing a real aptitude for it in their youth – Ronnie was said to overpower every opponent he came across whereas Reggie would take them down with cold, calculated blows. Ronnie and Reggie in their youth, ready to fight! Some have even argued that if they hadn’t gone on to become London’s most FEARED gangsters that they would have been successful professional boxers. After they stepped into the criminal UNDERWORLD, they boxed less and less – but were still very fond of the sport. These boxing gloves signed by the Kray Twins were donated to a charity auction for underprivileged children in 1985. ...

Groups, Groups, Groups!

3rd March 201928th February 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

We’re looking forward to welcoming a whole host of great groups this year from all over the world! We have Curator’s Tours and CRIME Walks through Hastings and St. Leonards to tickle the fancy of even the most die-hard True CRIME addicts – we bet you had no idea what’s gone on in YOUR neighbourhood! If you have a language school, a hen party or even just fancy celebrating that VERY successful heist, CLICK HERE to get in touch with Laura, our Group Bookings Manager, for more information! ...

Curator’s Reviews! Defending a Monster

2nd March 201927th March 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

Curator Joel with Defending a Monster! John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer, who raped and murdered at least 33 boys. He famously became known as the 'Killer Clown' due to the fact that he dressed up as 'Pogo the Clown' for children's parties. But if you're reading this review, you probably already knew that! DEFENDING A MONSTER by Sam Amirante IN A NUTSHELL: Christmas 1978: Chicago Police investigating the disappearance of 15yr old Rob Piest enter the home of building contractor John Wayne Gacy. In the crawlspace below his house they find the remains of TWENTY SEVEN young men… Gacy admits to six more slayings and instantly becomes America’s most PROLIFIC SERIAL KILLER and most hated man. Sam Amirante took on the job of ‘Defending A Monster’ and was also hated by some for asserting that his client was not guilty for reasons of insanity. Here, thirty years after, he gives a detailed account of the killer and the trial. Author SAM AMIRANTE grabs a coffee and talks GACY. THE VERDICT: Dozens of books have been written about Gacy,...

In the POUND!

14th February 201914th February 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

We can't believe it's been a whole MONTH since our Dress Up Your Dog day! After a day full of fun (and dogs!) we had our submissions for our photo competition - Crufts Crime Edition! Check out the competition (and the winners) below!!! And the winners... ...

Curator’s Reviews! The Little Book of Jack the Ripper

29th January 201928th February 2019 By Liam Upjohn Comment Closed

Curator's Reviews! The Little Book of Jack the Ripper... Joel and Jeffrey are enthralled by The Little Book of Jack the Ripper IN A NUTSHELL: The Whitechapel Society was formed twenty years ago to promote the study of the Ripper murders. Members meet bi-monthly and a dozen have contributed chapters to ‘The Little Book of Jack the Ripper”. The book focuses on the victims, suspects and the social and historic background of the case. (Hardback, it’s 189pgs long with B&W spot illustrations. RRP £9.99) THE LITTLE BOOK OF JACK THE RIPPER by The Whitechapel Society THE VERDICT:The mystery of Jack the Ripper is so enticing and enduring that it cuts through all ensuing eras. The 1980s was a particularly fertile decade for anyone captivated by the tale and movies, TV documentaries and bestselling paperbacks flooded the market, each with a solution more outlandish than the last: The Masons did it… Jack was a Royal Prince! A Hastings hairdresser and a half-human sewer beast also...