While the Allenby at the Gates of Jerusalem exhibition examines the historic week in December 1917, when the British conquered Jerusalem and Allenby declared British rule from the steps of the Tower of David (ToD), London in Jerusalem shows the cultural and social aspects of 30 years of British rule.

At the end of World War I, Jerusalem, having endured centuries of neglected rule under the Ottoman Empire,  was an underdeveloped location. The British first invested in infrastructure. 

The British introduced sports, music, dancing, cinema liquor, Primm's, oysters, and grand afternoon tea parties to Jerusalem. For the first time in its long history, the Tower of David was not used for military purposes, but was converted for social and community usage. Flower shows with trophies and artists exhibitions replaced soldiers with weapons. Tower of David Museum was the first museum established in Jerusalem.

London in Jerusalem includes photographs from the 1917-1948 years of British rule, both printed and electronic scenes. A replica of Fink's Bar and Restaurant, is a showcase for bottles, artifacts, and a bit of the off-color humor of the times. A copy of the guest book from the King David Hotel has signatures of visiting royalty, world leaders, including General Allenby and his family. 

One feature to keep the interest of modern museum visitors, on each side of the stone chamber is a light show, as if there were windows in those heavy walls. The projections show what you would have seen in those years. Celebrations for King George's birthday, Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, and barbed wire for No Man's Land were among the significant developments over the time of British Mandate.

The exhibition is divided into five sections.  Hello, hello, Jerusalem speaks!  highlights the first broadcast of the Palestine Broadcasting Service (PBS), a local government-run radio station started by the British, in March 1936. Jerusalem radio broadcasts opened with “This is Jerusalem Calling!” followed immediately by identical announcements in Arabic and Hebrew. Standing next to the grand piano brought to the ToD from the Israel Broadcast Authority, visitors can listen to the news of the day, to live recordings of ensembles and bands, and radio shows.

Soirées in the Salon, is a reconstructed living room as what would have been found in Rehavia during the time period, with original cabinets, china, radio and furniture.

The exhibition provides a glimpse at the British cinema experience, by reconstructing a tiny cinema, with wooden seats and velvet curtains.  Visitors can sit and watch classic movies and newsreels of the period of the early 1930's and 1940's.  There were 10 theaters at the peak of the cinema era in Jerusalem, the Edison, Eden and Zion were closed on Shabbos.

London in Jerusalem, curated by Liat Margalit and Inbar Dror Lax, is walk through memory lane for those who experienced those years and an eye-opening experience for those who did not. 

"The story of the Tower of David site has layers of history. In 1921, the first governor Sir Ronald Storrs, realized Jerusalem must be international after the Ottomans and rebuilt." said Eilat Liber, Director and Chief Curator of the Tower of David Museum, "It transpires that little has been devoted to the influence of British culture in Jerusalem. The Tower of David Museum is pleased to be able to offer the public today the chance to “experience” life in Jerusalem in the 20's, 30's and 40's and highlight the developments in the cultural life of the city during this fascinating period”.

The Tower of David layers were first dug out in the 1980's. While best known today for its Rampart Walk, ToD hosts an Innovation Lab, dozens educational programs, international social events, and two night spectacular light shows, besides the permanent museum exhibits. As Governor Storrs envisioned., ToD in Jerusalem has become a "bridge of the people." 

Some exhibits at ToD require stairs, but London in Jerusalem is handicap and wheel chair accessible.  London in Jerusalem opens, Thursday, May 24, 2018, 6 - 8:00 pm, with free admission for the opening hours.

The Allenby and London exhibitions are to close in December 2018.