Welcome to the Blue Plaques of RSA House.

Here you’ll find all the information on offer for you to read and enjoy around RSA House as part of a self-guided walking tour.

Scroll through and learn about our history, our building and our mission.

The RSA

We are the RSA, where world-leading ideas are turned into world-changing actions.

Blue circular emblem featuring a classical building in the center. Text around the building reads "WELCOME TO THE RSA." Decorative border with intertwined text surrounds the image. A QR code is placed at the bottom of the building.

The Blue Plaque Scheme

The scheme of affixing plaques to the homes of notable people.

A blue plaque with white text that reads, "Blue Plaque Scheme. Napoleon III lived here, 1848." It includes decorative elements and a QR code at the bottom.

Our Design for Life mission

We enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.

A circular blue design features a central illustration of a person sitting on a large light bulb, holding a smaller glowing bulb. Around the edge, decorative text reads "DESIGN FOR LIFE" and other words. A QR code is visible at the bottom.

Women’s Education

The RSA has been instrumental in spreading secondary education for girls.

Blue circular logo with "Women's Education Champion" text. Features a hat, tie, and pencil in the center. The border of the circle has repeating patterns of text, and a QR code is at the bottom.

Contemporary Art Champion

We proudly promoted British contemporary art for almost three centuries.

A blue circular emblem featuring a central image of a gray stone pedestal. The words "Contemporary Art Champion" encircle the pedestal. A QR code is at the bottom, and elaborate white lettering adorns the border.

Leading innovation and design

The RSA has been leading innovation and design since our inception.

A blue circular seal with the words "LEADING INNOVATION & DESIGN" surrounding an ancient scroll and writing tools illustration. Ornate patterns and a QR code are present.

Benjamin Franklin Room

This room has previously exhibited our collection of art, textiles, and machines – originals and models.

Blue circular emblem featuring a portrait of Benjamin Franklin at the center. The text "Benjamin Franklin Room" encircles the portrait. Decorative white patterns and a small QR code are included in the design.

The Great Room

The Great Room was originally designed by Scottish architects the Adam Brothers.

A circular blue sign features a clock in the center with the text "THE GREAT ROOM" around it. Surrounding the main text is a decorative white border with intertwined patterns and a QR code at the bottom.

Shipley Room

Named after William Shipley, our founder and first secretary.

A circular blue emblem with a portrait of a man in the center, surrounded by the text "William Shipley Room" and decorative patterns along the border. A QR code is at the bottom center.

Henry Cole Room

Henry Cole was arguably our re-founder. transforming it to align with his priorities.

Blue circular plaque with intricate white border design. It features a grayscale portrait of an older man with a bow tie and curly hair. Text around the edge reads "HENRY COLE ROOM." A QR code is visible at the bottom center.

The Great Exhibition

The Great Exhibition of 1851 was chiefly and proudly instigated by The Society of Arts.

Blue circular logo with "The Great Exhibition" text around an intricate building sketch. Ornate border with repeating decorative patterns. QR code at the bottom.

The Coffee House

This is our homage to the coffee house culture from which the Society was born.

A blue circular logo featuring an ornate silver coffee pot in the center. Encircling the pot in white text is "The Coffee House" and decorative elements. A small QR code is at the bottom of the circle.

Gerard Room

Ronald Gerard OBE was a property developer and philanthropist.

Blue circular design featuring the text "GERARD ROOM" at the top, with an elderly man's face in grayscale in the center. Ornate white lettering surrounds the edge, and a QR code is positioned below the face.

Archive Room

This room displays prints from our archive which works to preserve our past, record our present and inspire our future.

A blue circular sign with the text "ARCHIVE ROOM" at the top and "SOCIETY OF ARTS MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE" on a central silver medallion. A decorative border encircles the sign with a QR code at the bottom.

The Steps

The Steps are a modest, but ingeniously contrived, lecture and meeting space at RSA House.

A blue circular emblem featuring an illustration of ancient stone steps leading to an archway. The words "The Steps" are centered above the arch with decorative text surrounding the edge. A QR code is placed at the bottom center.

Dame Caroline Haslett Room

Part of our Coffee House, this room is named after a distinguished Fellow.

Blue circular sign with a white profile silhouette of a person in the center. Text around reads "Dame Caroline Haslett Room" with decorative elements and a QR code at the bottom.

Dr Cross Room

The main space in The Coffee House, this room was named after Dr Neil Earl Cross in 2018.

A round blue emblem features a white couch with pillows and a blanket at its center. "DR CROSS ROOM" is written above in white. The border is filled with decorative white patterns and a QR code is situated below the couch.

The Library

Holding over 6,000 books and journals, the Library is key to both our Fellowship and our work.

A blue circular logo featuring a stack of books in the center. Above the books, the text reads "The Library." A decorative border encircles the logo, and a QR code is located at the bottom.

Tim Eyles Room

The Tim Eyles Room was originally part of the RSA Library, created in 2003.

A blue circular emblem reads "Tim Eyles Room" and features a black-and-white illustration of a man's face wearing glasses. A QR code is at the bottom, surrounded by decorative text in a circle.

The Long Gallery

An extended space for reflection and collaboration.

A circular blue logo for "The Long Gallery" featuring a stylized hand holding a pen in the center. The border is decorated with white patterns and text. A small QR code is at the bottom inside the circle.

Suthers Court

Visitors can see a contemporary portrait of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A circular blue emblem features a stack of wooden crates in the center. The words "Suthers Court" are above the crates. Decorative text encircles the emblem, and a QR code is placed below the crates.

The Vaults

These spaces are used for conferences, meetings, press launches and weddings.

A blue circular logo with a wooden barrel surrounded by grapevines in the center. The text "THE VAULTS" is above the barrel. Decorative white text encircles the logo with a QR code at the bottom.

Durham Street Auditorium

The 18th-century brickwork houses built-in theatre seating and audio-visual equipment.

A circular blue logo features an illustration of a traditional milk can and a bag on top of stone slabs. "Durham Street Auditorium" is written in a circular pattern around the image, with decorative text bordering it. A QR code is positioned below.

Prince Albert Room

Prince Albert had a profound influence on Victorian society that continues to be felt today.

A blue circular emblem featuring a portrait of a man in the center. Surrounding the portrait are the words "Prince Albert Room," with intricate decorative elements and a QR code below.

Mary Moser Room

One of only two female founder members of the Royal Academy, Mary Moser was a highly celebrated artist.

Blue circular emblem featuring a grayscale portrait of a person at the center. The text "Mary Moser Room" encircles the portrait. Decorative text and a QR code appear within the design.

Tavern Room

This was where our first members dined in 1772 after laying the first foundation stones in the original building.

Illustration of a logo featuring a man with curly hair and a beard in profile, set against a blue circular background. Text reads "Tavern Room" and includes decorative script. A QR code is displayed beneath the portrait.

Tindale Room

Patricia Randall Tindale was an architect and civil servant who developed prototypes for prefabricated school buildings.

A circular blue emblem features a grayscale portrait of a person in the center. Surrounding the portrait are the words "Tindale Room" with decorative text on the border and a small QR code below the portrait.

Prince Philip Room

Prince Philip was our longest-serving President from 1952 to 2011.

A blue circular emblem features a profile illustration of a man in the center, labeled "Prince Philip Room." Intricate decorative patterns surround the portrait. A QR code is placed at the bottom of the circle.

Folkestone Room

We used this room as an exhibition space before it became a meeting room. It now is a hospitality space.

A circular blue emblem with an intricate border and the text "Folkestone Room" encircling a grayscale portrait of a man with curly hair. Below the portrait is a small QR code.

Queen Elizabeth II Room

The room contains a bronze bust of the late Queen and photographs from our archive depicting her long association with the RSA.

A circular blue emblem featuring a side profile portrait of a crown-wearing woman, surrounded by the words "QUEEN ELIZABETH II ROOM." Decorative patterns encircle the border, with a QR code at the bottom center.

Design Studio

The Design Studio was launched in 2024 to provide a flexible space for those working in all manner of industries.

Blue circular logo with a central image of a rolled paper and the words "THE DESIGN STUDIO." A decorative border encircles the design, and a QR code is located at the bottom center.

RSA history

Looking to the future since 1754. Find out more about the famous names and change made in the past.

A historic illustration of a crowded assembly hall with numerous people gathered around a central table. The walls are adorned with large, detailed murals depicting various scenes and figures. The setting appears formal and ceremonial.

RSA House venue hire

Explore our unique venue with a selection of versatile spaces for hire.

A group of people socializing in an elegant venue with vaulted brick ceilings and wooden floors. Art is displayed on the walls, and potted plants decorate the space. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere.

Support our work

As a charity, we rely on donors, funders and our Fellows to realise our vision. Donate and help to regenerate our world.

Line drawing of a hand giving a thumbs-up sign.