National Gallery of Practical Sciences
Former shopping arcade in London
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Gallery of Practical Science known popularly as the Adelaide Gallery was a gallery in London . It was opened as a space dedicated to demonstrating scientific instruments and machines in the 1830s later being used as an amusement hall and in the Royal Marionette Theatre.[1] It stood on the north side of the Lowther Arcade, a shopping arcade which cut through the buildings now known collectively as 430–449 Strand.[1][2]
History
The gallery was built as part of the West Strand Improvements, a scheme devised by William Lowther, for whom Lowther Arcade would be named, as Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests and directed by James Pennethorne.[3] The building housing the gallery was the work of John Nash while the arcade was designed by Witherdon Young.[4][5]
The gallery was devised by Jacob Perkins, first as a place to display his own inventions but later for all new inventions.[6] It opened in 1830 and named to honour Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV,[7] established by the Society for the Illustration and Encouragement of Practical Science. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in October 1834.[8]
Perkins' steam gun would be a popular attraction. The gallery was also used by pioneers in photography, hosting the first photographic studios in England,[9] including that of Antoine Claudet.[10] It also saw the 1839 demonstrations of the newly announced daguerreotype process by a Monseiur de St Croix, of which little is known.[11] Parliament Street from Trafalgar Square a photograph taken nearby as part of the demonstrations in that year is considered to be the oldest surviving of London.[12] Despite its popularity, the gallery by 1838 began to struggle, with competition from the Polytechnic Institution a major challenge.[13] Throughout the 1830s, the gallery saw fewer scientific displays and was used more for entertainment. It closed in 1845, the space then opened as Laurent's casino the following year,[14] an entertainment hall which has been described as "London's first nightclub".[6][15][16]