Archangels & Archaeology by Geoffrey Ginn (AM)

J.S.M Ward's Kingdom of the Wise. 315 pages.

This book tells the extraordinary story of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology.

Archangels & Archaeology traces the remarkable life and career of John S. M. Ward (1885 – 1949) who started the Abbey Folk Park in 1934 at New Barnet, north of London. The Abbey Folk Park was an extraordinary and innovative social history museum where Ward’ interest in esoteric heritage, world cultures and the occult attracted much attention. 

Unfairly disgraced in a sensational court case in May 1945, he and his followers departed England for Cyprus in self-imposed exile along with his stunning collection of artefacts. After Ward’s death, his community moved to Queensland, Australia, where his collection can be seen in the Abbey Museum today.

Dr Geoff Ginn is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Queensland.

Published: Sussex Academic Press (2012)