The Jack the Ripper Museum - The Most Exploitative Museum in the UK? A Former Ripper Guide Weighs in

[@noctoris6619]

The "Memorial" to the women being designed after a mortuary just says to me "the only value these women had comes from their deaths", which feels so unbelievably disgusting. It would have been easier to just have a large plaque or a small monument in the basement with their names, and it would have felt far less gross.

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

You can say that again!

[@joiedevivre2005]

Maybe even do a little digging into their backgrounds and share their life stories. These were living people who hopes, dreams, interests & were likely not so different from many of us.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

@@noctoris6619 I completely agree.

[@janethigginbottom]

Bollocks

[@h.calvert3165]

There is almost no information on these women & their lives, to be brutally honest. They were 'nobodies', so they were undocumented. As ordinary persons, we each have more information preserved about our lives today, but compare yourself to, say, Meryl Streep. Her work is preserved on film. Her behaviour, opinions, & personality are inscribed in articles & books. Her public appearances are attended by hundreds. There's a big gap between her & me or you, just as there's a huge difference between Mary Ann, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine, & Mary, & us, today. 🗡

[@abbyhawkey7395]

I would love a video exploring the lives of the 5 known victims of Jack the Ripper. They are the ones whose stories should be told not the one of the person who murdered them.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

It would be 95% speculation. The poor didn't have people to write about them.

[@garybarnett583]

Their lives have been researched and discussed for decades.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

There is a great deal of hard fact about them out there - Mary Kelly is the only one who has little backstory. The book "The Five" is meticulously researched and cited.

[@debranielsen2002]

Free Tours By Foot (on KZbin) did an excellent JTR tour during Covid that I found fascinating. The guide talked a great deal about the poverty and conditions the victims were forced to live in.

[@K3LLYMHENRY]

Thank you, Jessica. I have read The Five and it changed my perspective related to these women. Our discussion on this topic when we met for a tour on my recent trip to London was illuminating. The story about the woman who approached your tour in Whitechapel stuck with me too. I especially liked your take on the reasons women watch true crime and your comments about your own complex relationship to this topic. We all are continuing to learn. Turning the focus to the severe and worsening problem of violence against women, and how those victims are turned into tools to glorify dirt bags, is helpful in changing the killer-centric narrative of these stories. I would love to see videos that delve more deeply into the lives of these woman!

[@jillcox6685]

I visited the Hutchinson Museum after watching your video. An absolutely amazing experience, thank you. I have since watched many of your others videos, and consequently have many visits to London planned. This video is very different, as you stated. So very informative. Thank you

[@brikwil]

Thank you!!! This is one of the most respectful commentaries I have ever heard about the subject. I actually participated in a Ripper tour when I was in London in 2013, and I was bitterly disappointed at how ridiculous it was. I could not stop thinking about those women and the brutality of their lives before they died at the hands of a maniac. You are a true gem for your candor and your honesty - and your humanity.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much- that means a lot.

[@DowneastArtsAndOdds]

I’ve seen every one of your videos and this may be my favorite. Your comparison to past and present horrific killers and how they shouldn’t be glamorized was just refreshing. Not to mention The amount of indigenous women who have been abused, exploited and murdered is unreal. And like you said jack vs. todays killers is the same. NOT something to be romanticized. I just love your content so much! I felt my teeth clenching while watching this while your tone matched the emotion . ❤❤ love your videos so much !

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much!

[@Oakleaf700]

@@TheMuseumGuide Women being interested in 'true crime' and women who write to violent killers is rather baffling to me..but son's Girlfriend has loads of books on 'true crime' I found it a bit eerie, I find true crime upsetting to say the least. But women know what it is like to be fearful walking in remote places after dark. In the late 1970's I walked sometimes from Piccadilly to The East End through the City by night- as a teenaged girl. It was very different then, not at all gentrified.

[@chrisberry9017]

My Father was born in East End London in 1898, and would speak of the general sense of fear which pervaded the area in the years following the murders.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

I can imagine! It left a huge impact on the area.

[@DavidMorison74-tv9ws]

Hi Jesica , As a Londoner , born and bred in Finsbury near the angel , I have been a fan of your videos for a long time. I have been interested in Jack the Ripper for many years and been on one of these Ripper walks and a couple of years ago I visited the ripper museum. I found it unreal. over sensationalised and came our feeling as you did sad for the victims. I have a collection of 20 Ripper books from Steven Knights silly book the Final Solution the wonderful sensitive book The Five by Hallie Rubenhold Your powerful video has changed my whole attitude to the Ripper story. I am questioning should I get rid of my ripper book collection. Maybe, but keep only one. (The Five) I always look forward to your new videos. Your narrative always keeps my interests even if I know the story being told. Your passion for London history comes across every time. I don’t normally comment on KZbin, but I felt I had to send you a reply. I think I will be going to the second-hand bookshop with a pile of books.

[@amb163]

You should keep your collection. If nothing else, it provides a glimpse into the world of sensationalism and greed which is historically relevant. It's a reminder that "history" as a whole is subject to bias, fads, and outright fabrication and we (the audience) should always bear that in mind. Critical thinking skills are lacking these days. Keep studying and keep encountering new information which challenges your former ideas.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much - this comment means a lot to me.

[@CampestCowboy]

I just have to highly compliment your level of humility and honesty talking about how you used to lead these tours and sharing very candidly that you weren't proud of the things you had shared in your tours. The level of dignity and honesty that takes is truly astounding and admirable. Your videos are just absolutely amazing and you really have a keen eye for what you do and theres not anyone else quite like you on KZbin so please keep it up! Would love to see you make a video about the women who were victim of this horrible person as I know you'd do an utterly stellar job!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Wow, that is quite a compliment! Thank you.

[@Azi1966]

Fascinating, as always. I would definitely be interested in a deeper dive into the lives of the victims and the general east end population. You have my respect for acknowledging the dichotomy of making a living from Ripper tours and dark tourism and, at the same time,being appalled by it. As for the "museum"? A nasty, tawdry tourist trap.

[@sylviegauthier2145]

Hi from Canada! Great video as usual. On the last Highgate Cemetery video, I think you asked if anyone wanted a video on the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. I would love one, in fact, I would love a series of them. Beautiful old cemeteries are awesome.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

@@sylviegauthier2145 you’re in luck! I’m heading there in November. ❤️

[@Saffron-sugar]

As women I feel that we need to make up our minds, finally, about whether or not we’re shaming sex workers. We will say “there is no shame in being a sex worker“, yes, but then we will say “she was NOT a sex worker“. If a woman is mislabelled. Nobody gets all riled up when somebody mistakenly labelled a school teacher, or something like that. So, we ARE still kind of shaming them. We’re not there yet.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

No. That’s not it at all. It’s about erroneously reporting that the women did a job that THEY would have felt deep shame about. Our feelings about the job are moot. But there is no denying they were given less sympathy and fewer resources because of their perceived association with sex work.

[@Beckford4000]

I read Rubenhold's "The Five" last year. A phenomenal read that demonstrates that only 2 of the 5 were known to be sex workers. What she found was that he murdered rough-sleeping women, probably in their sleep. I love that Rubenhold gave these 5 women their lives and voices back.

[@mpol701]

How can she know they were rough sleeping when evidence at inquest after police enquiries showed people who knew them they were out getting money via sex for there room, so they were all involved in sex for money and all usually had a room

[@mpol701]

Sex workers, most people and ripperolgist acceot they were what were known as unforttanates, they would warn money by yes sex, but sewing, cleaning etc as well.,also not one ripperolgist I've listened to recently anyway sees the ladies as bad people, or irs there fault etc, seems like your manufacturing misandry, let's attack men

[@mpol701]

Yes we do want to know who did these crimes was it all one person I don't know, Charles lechmere I think did at least the one he was at, as death was 30 minutes estimated befire Dr arrived, and Charles was there, neither he or anyone else there saw or heard anyone else, and she was possibly taking her last breaths, but that doesn't mean the rest were him or just one person

[@garybarnett583]

Rubenhold’s book is misleading.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You should probably read the book then. friends interviewed at the time explicitly said that Chapman, Nichols, and Eddowes did NOT sell sex.

[@jillcox6685]

I have just ordered "The Five". Possibly the wrong way of expressing, but "looking forward" to the challenge of reading. Thank you for sharing your excellent video.

[@saskade6682]

The way you speak about these cases is super refreshing in a time where lots of misinformation and over-sensationalization is so easily spread online

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@SoLuVaBle299]

It’s unfortunate, but Jack the Ripper isn’t the only serial killer who is glorified or receives a lot of admiration/fawning. While it seems he might be one of the few that has so many tours and “memorabilia” (possibly because he’s the oldest serial killer many know), there have been others who have amassed fan clubs as well. Sending love letters/letters of admiration or support, people buying art from the convicted individual, purchasing things from their homes, even marrying/dating the individual while they’re behind bars. People are fascinated and thrilled by the macabre. I cannot damn a healthy curiosity (watching documentary-style true crime is how I learn the most about how the criminal justice system works in practice, and it’s sad but compelling). However, I draw the line where the victims become footnotes and the perpetrator the main character as seen here.

[@laraleyendecker2885]

Very moving vlog. You touched on issues that more people should care about. Thank you!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You're welcome.

[@joannaferris5605]

Thank you so much for this. As someone who has lived and worked in London heritage for many years, I can't tell you how refreshing this was. The ghoulish obsession with this part of history is so vile and permeates not just the physical areas from Tower Hill and further east, but also people's mentalities .when violence against women becomes a gag or a Halloween costume, it cheapens all of us. Whatever or whoever did those things, we need to focus on the victims then and now.

[@griffin2263]

Living on Vancouver island we all know who and what pickton was. And how badly the police handled the missing woman from the east end of Vancouver.. and a huge yes no one wants a Robert pickton magnet .. I will give this museum a huge pass next time I am in London

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Hello from a fellow Vancouverite!

[@justdeb6091]

I visited London for the first time in 2010. I had read quite a lot about the Whitechapel murders and was intrigued by the mystery but also the social history aspects of the times. I was keen to visit the East End and see the places I read about for myself. But, as I walked down Hanbury Street I was overcome by a wave of sadness for the women who lost their lives to that reprobate. It wasn’t just an intriguing mystery to me anymore, it was very real. That was it for me really.

[@rhiannongrace5046]

Thank you for sharing this video with us! Timing couldn't be more coincidental, as earlier this week I saw a video on tiktok that a woman made about the museum - and a quite positive one at that! So I'm very please to see your sensitive and nuanced take on the subject. The Five is one of the most affecting books I've ever read, and it was the last push I needed to really evaluate our fascination as a society with the murders.

[@gothngo2943]

I made plans to visit the museum while I was living in Kensington for uni. I was under the impression it was about the women and a scathing remonstration of violence against women. I'm glad now I took a wrong turn! Ended up visiting a mosque and meeting Muslim women raising funds. This was in 2016. I've been back to the UK a few times since and I've never made it to the museum. Glad i made the one and only wrong turn of my time in London!

[@foxesofautumn]

I'd very much like to see your video about the victims and their lives. I think this case still has so much attention because we don't know who did it but I'm glad people are also saying"Yes, but the victims are the ones who deserve to be remembered."

[@genegarn]

I have watched many of your videos and enjoyed them all. Fun and informative! I avoided this one as the title made it seem not worth the time and I have seen many videos on this subject, but I did watch it and found it to be one of your best. It made me think about the ladies not the murderer. Its so easy in true crime to forgot about the victms, bringing it down to maybe a person you know or maybe related to makes it real. I think you presented your history and feelings so well, it was touching and I'm not that emotional. Please keep up the great work!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

That genuinely means so much. Thank you!

[@thesteef77]

What a video. I love the sincerity and thoroughness at which you approach and address all the issues. A (bad) museum, life of women in 19th century, London tourism and your own effect there in. You cover a LOT. Thank you.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Wow, thank you!

[@Countess777]

I always thought the main fascination for people & why the story continues to captivate, was because we don’t know who the murderer was. I think it would be very different if we did.

[@clairesnepp8376]

Thank you, Jessica, for the single most informative piece on the subject I've ever been exposed to. Your assumptions about the killer sound completely accurate to me & the info and pictures about the women were moving and thought-provoking. Your tours are always educational and informative, but this one most of all - so far.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you kindly!

[@salsadeheno0905]

i never really was educated on the serial killer jack the ripper but i’m glad my first time being told of this sick individual was from you. you really added a level nuance to this case. 10/10 video!

[@helgamooseknuckles7525]

You should do more research, then. Her opinions in a short video really aren't more than a mid start.

[@angelaplatts]

I just want to point out that the man bending over the body of Catherine Eddowes in the museum is actually a policeman. You can tell by the shape of his helmet, his cape and the silver police number on his collar.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

I somehow messed that up!

[@garethflower3403]

I've been going through various videos as a precursor to going on a tour later this year. After this video I think I may just visit the sites quietly on my own and pay my respects to the victims in a more dignified manner. Thank you Jessica. Keep up the good work.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

That’s very sobering to hear. Thank you!

[@lansvale28]

For me, the interesting thing about Jack the Ripper was it opened a window to that time of the history, which was wild and so foreign. The ripper yarn was just the way to transport back into that time.

[@ninjacat801st8]

Wow. Thanks that was so interesting and very enlightening.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BarbaraCowdery]

Wow all this got me thinking. Really interesting, your videos. I just wanted to say that I went to art school in England studying photography. During my studies there, I read a book about Jack the Ripper & all the conspiracy theories. ( My apologies, I honestly can’t remember the name of the book. ) Anyway, the whole situation really affected me to the point where I wanted to do an Art project on this. Purely about the WOMEN that got murdered. To HONOR them. I ended up researching all about this & went down to the East end to the exact areas of where these women were murdered. I took pics of the areas & then printed them on Perspex interspersed with old copies of newspaper clippings of the time about these tragic murders of these women. I built boxes & put the Perspex pieces with collages of the pics of where they sadly died, with the newspaper clippings in the boxes with a tea light candle for each woman. I don’t know why I was so compelled to do this, I guess to honor them. Your video here reminded me of that project. Needless to say, it was either depressing or intriguing for who saw it. But something in me just had to do it. May they all rest in peace. It was NOT meant to glorify them or exploit them (I made no money in this )…. I just felt like they needed to be honored somehow & that’s how I chose to do it. Thank you for your great videos. I learn a lot of interesting things! It makes me miss London more than I already do! I need to come back & see all these things that you show & talk about that I never even knew about when I lived there!!!!!

[@1000thGhost]

9:16 wasn't that person standing over the body? A police officer. You can see the emblem on his collar.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

I corrected this. Thank you!

[@phillipaj634]

I went here when I was younger (14ish) as someone with a fascination in honouring the memory of the women through their lives. As someone who has always been very connected with positive and negative energy from a very young age I found this place to be one of the worst feeling environments I have ever stepped foot in. I couldn’t stay more then 10 minutes without feeling sick to my stomach and so uncomfortable I didn’t even make it to the final floor before I forced my entire family to leave, knowing something wasn’t right. Knowing what I know now I would NEVER recommend anyone to go here, firstly for the lack of disrespect it shows The 5, but secondly just how awful it feels in there spiritually and mentally. I think it’s so important to learn of these cases and understand how misconstrued they have been over the years. Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly deserve to be remembered for the women they were not the way they were brutally murdered in a time when they would never get closure. Please do a video on the women and their lives, I’ve read the book and would love for more people to know of their stories

[@phillipaj634]

Also if you ran a tour on the locations of the murders but actually told the stories of the women rather than the murders I would 100% come and bring all my friends!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

I do! I offer it as a private tour.

[@AACnet1]

@@TheMuseumGuide Yes please! Do you have a website to book? Ive spent 6 weeks solid researching Mary Kelly and her life, weaving in and out of the same dead ends and loops that youve probably found. Do you think that was her real name? The only one I have that's really strong is the one in Portsmouth Barracks - now a Grammar School. She had a Brother called Henry (older). They all disappear in the 1881 records, except Henry, who became a gunner in the navy based at Portsmouth fort. Could he have been killed and therefore she had no family to come? I have researched the other events, and there is some closure, but it does uncover sad events. Before the numerous comments saying Im mad appear - I did not choose this.. we went on a Ghost Hunt to the forts, and a few weeks later my step daughter went to a JTR tour and showed me a photo they gave out. I was so sad. Not due to the imagery - but the feeling of sadness and no closure. I was compelled to find out why. Hopefully, someone will find an old box in their attic one day - with the clues needed. I don't give 17 apples who JTR was - but I do wish that MJK would be in peace. But these events highlighted changes that needed to be made, and helped society realize that the vulnerable need to be protected. These 5 women gave birth to the 19th Century and will forever live on for a hundred more years, as a symbol and warning to society. Maybe the room in JTR Museum that has the cloak and hat etc could be dedicated to the lives and past of the C5 and show they were real people, not corpses. Maybe ending with MK finally going to Mayors Day and throwing the so called JTR in the Thames, or Asylum for Lunatics..

[@nikkirose9800]

Wow! This video was so eye opening. Thank you for sharing this and giving me a new perspective. It’s a shame that we can be so acclimatized to these historical stories that we don’t think about them as deeply as we should.

[@MsZoedog66]

One thing I think we need to remember is this....throughout the reading I have done I have discovered that in the East End, especially during this time, when things got particularly economically tough, it was not considered as shameful as elsewhere for women to engage in sex work.

[@Laura-i2r9r]

I’ve read the book “ The Five” all about the lives of the Ripper’s victims before and leading up to their unfortunate deaths at Jack The Ripper’s hands . Thanks for this insightful museum tour and the sights of the victims demise . ❤😊

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You are very welcome!

[@angelabrothers]

Thank you for giving these women the respect they deserve and shedding light on aspects of this case that needed to known.

[@Katmcb-r5u]

Thank you had you Nadia. So happy you are in remission ❤. You art and sharing is world changing in so many people/viewers. Thank you for your reply 🙏 You’ve change my Life. Kathy (Kat)❤

[@jontusmcginger1455]

Well, in my opinion, the ladies' VALUE wasn't due to their horrific fates, however their respective claims to FAME are intrinsically tied to the mystery of the Ripper of Whitechapel. Had they not been victims (as awful as their fates were) they would have been lost to time as all the others that populated the locality at that point in London's history (including the Ripper himself). We're only aware that these particular ladies lived due to their misfortunes being publicized following their demise. It is a kind of comfort that there is nothing but speculation about the ripper, yet a plethora of solid information about the victims.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

As a woman, I can tell you unequivocally that I would rather die anonymous and lost to time rather than be violently murdered.

[@GodWearsGucci]

What you said about experiencing terror in a safe place definitely hit a little home. I was a very fearful child of the supernatural as well as real crimes. As I grew up, I think that facing my fears in ways of books, films, the internet, and graduating w a degree in Anthropology made the macabre comfortable…. On another topic would you consider Lechmere a suspect? After reading much lore he just makes the most sense to me. U r the best! Please do a video on the victims.

[@GodWearsGucci]

Ahhhh I comment too quickly! No need to answer! You are correct. Let’s respect the women and not speculate here…. 💕

[@ellerose9164]

Thank you for this! Easily your best video. I especially love that you did not shy away from reflecting on and criticizing your past work in this 'industry'. Making the world a better place starts with yourself and you are a great role model for this. Bravo!!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much!

[@saber_teef]

I’m so thankful you do these videos, I want to go to so many museums but I can’t due to bad anxiety / the price/ travel etc so I live vicariously through your beautiful videos! I would love to know these ladies stories, I haven’t learned about them since I was in school!

[@saber_teef]

I feel so sorry for these women, what is a tour for us now was their real and terrifying life back then

[@marial8235]

Haven’t read “The Five” but studies in American labor and women’s studies show that poor and working-class women during the era may have drifted in and out of sex work as the economic needs demanded.

[@PaulaMitchell-xg7mp]

@@marial8235 That happened more than people realize, especially during the Depression.

[@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS]

But No one is questioning that fact or that it was more common than people realize!! But what is in question is the validity that his victims were sex workers as has been claimed!!

[@PaulaMitchell-xg7mp]

@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS The OP was talking about it, and I replied. Please read...

[@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS]

@@PaulaMitchell-xg7mp Ummm I did read! And my comment was to the OP in regards to their comment in general. And Not a reply to you!... So maybe take your own suggestion and "Please Read!"

[@LuDashiki]

I've been binging your videos over the last few days and I have to say, this video would have solidified you as one of my favorite new finds on KZbin if I weren't totally sold already. And to think I wasn't going to watch it, being that I find Jack the Ripper to be an oversensationalized creep as well. In particular, your story about the sex worker that interrupted your tour really touched me. You have such a refreshingly kind and humanitarian outlook. I was impressed that you specifically mentioned the heightened danger that women of color and transgender women face. I can't wait to see what comes next from this channel! Love you

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much!

[@jennifersimon4066]

I follow another youtuber who mentioned this museum in much the same way. I visited London 20 something years ago and hate to admit that i too went on a tour that included sites of the murders among other places. I remember at the time feeling sorry for those women and for so many others who were living in such bleak conditions and continue to do so. I am a history buff so since that time I have read and watched many credible books and documentaries so I feel completely different about this form of "entertainment". I am so glad to have stumbled upon your channel . Thank you for including pictures of the victims as they were in life to remind us that they were real people with hopes and dreams not different from all people.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Oooh, who is the KZbinr?

[@Firegen1]

Thank you Jessica. Really glad this popped up on my recommends. Please do the tour of their neighbourhood celebrating the people they were. Have you ever popped by Crossbones Graveyard? I have always wanted to stay and leave something there during one of their October events.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Crossbones is in my video on the strangest graveyards in London! Thanks for watching.

[@chemtrayliaindafukkinskya]

I'd love to hear your respectful tour for the ladies who were victims of JTR

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@chemtrayliaindafukkinskya]

@TheMuseumGuide You're absolutely welcome. I'd love to tour all the places with you 💕 I'm rewatching your Highgate Cemetary videos and I love your passion for these captivating places. You've inspired me to trawl the streets of London for all the hidden treasures that we take for granted when passing them every day.

[@ThisCrazyRALife]

Jack the Ripper was the first killer I ever learned about in my early childhood. It was what solidified my love for true crime to this day. I love your insight into the case and it made me think of it in a completely different way contrary to what I had believed all these years. I absolutely agree with you about Patricia’s book 🤢 but to realize the women might not have been sex workers and the man would have been some sad little man instead of an evil genius has definitely shaken up my views. I look forward to continuing my research with this amazing new information and view point. Thank you!!!!! ❤

[@nigelturner2356]

Thank you for this. I have been fascinated by the Whitechapel Murders since the 100th Anniversary in 1988 when I was 20. The book 'The Five' really opened my eyes and made me realise how much I'd changed since then. Whilst it's still a fascinating subject, it should be more about the victims than the perpetrator.

[@gabriellejones9522]

Fantastic video and giving the women a voice ! I found this so interesting and really questioned me thoughts when I did a Jack the Ripper tour and remember it was more about the gore than the poor victims.

[@1marcelo]

Excellent video. I admire your integrity, Jessica.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you so much!

[@guzan68]

What a well and proper video/doc made. Well more informative than I’ve ever ever heard or seen and I’ve seen so many JTR videos,books etc. THANKYOU

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@emmalogan8641]

I love The Five - it’s an amazingly researched book and changed my outlook on the case too. I haven’t visited the Jack the Ripper museum, and don’t think I’ll bother!

[@Scriverbridget]

I’ve read the Cornwall book and saw a lot of parallels to Sikert. I didn’t get the disgust till you mentioned Picton. You are right that who did it doesn’t friggin matter. I get it. You never cease to educate and I appreciate that so very much. 👋🏼

[@jamesscanlon5969]

Walter Sickert was in France when some of the murders occurred. He did paintings later which referred to the Ripper, on purpose. That's what artists do. See Brett Whiteley's Christie paintings. I'm sure Brett knew about Sickert's Ripper interest. (Christie was hanged in 1953 and Brett was in London ten years later, just in case you're wondering.) Whiteley and Sickert were talented artists attempting to respond to the crimes of serial killers. Cornwall is a money-grubbing narcissist who copied the Sickert theory from previous (wrong) authors, and decided to go all the way with it and cash in big-time.

[@Scriverbridget]

@@jamesscanlon5969 more atrocities happened along the train route he was on while an actor

[@jamesscanlon5969]

@@Scriverbridget More atrocities? What? Please name them. What train route was he on, and when? An actor, you say? He was a painter. You are not a flyspeck of a Ripperologist. You should go and read 40 more books on the topic before offering an opinion, and forget Cornwell's stupid ideas.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You are so welcome!

[@andykellens7237]

Thanks for the video. I've been to a few weird and controversial museums. All of the ones I liked had in common that they were about disseminating knowledge or getting you to think. All of the ones I disliked were just selling some form of entertainment and making money out of it. Judging on this video, this museum seems to fall in the latter category.

[@ColinoSpasm]

hello.... at 22:24 I can see the mast head of the 'Wellington Weekly News'. Wellington, in Somerset, is my home, and so Im wondering if you could give me more info about that exhibit?

[@Snakesnarl]

Someone out there thinks the elephant man was Jack the Ripper? Wow. Just wow.

[@juliebarraclough2882]

I'm British, and I often get the impression that Americans don't always appreciate or understand our humour.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Who is American in this video?

[@paulanthony5274]

I don't really see what's relevant to the video apart from the lady doing it speaking with an American accent, which she's entitled to do.

[@FaQue365]

I love your take on it. It makes so much sense. I love that you care about the victims.

[@liselotte5452]

This is your best video by far!! I feel like the difference in approach from you and the museum is that you care about the victims and people, the museum only cares about the murderer. We should never forget the people who got killed, which is why I personally watch true crime, but glamorising the killers? Disgusting.

[@jillcox6685]

The "hype" surrounding Jack the Ripper, and consequently tourist misinformation! Reminds me of an advertising "error or deliberate intent" of years ago! During a TV film about Sweeny Todd, a butcher who apparently sourced the meat for his famous pies in an "unique way", an advert for a manufacturer of pork pies was shown!!! Mentioned in every newspaper of the day!!!!

[@kaytaosborn]

This was beautiful I am so happy you pointed out things and put things in the right light.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@Patricia-zq5ug]

I've always enjoyed your videos, but this one goes above and beyond. All stuff that needed to be said, and you say it so eloquently.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Wow, thank you!

[@858493]

Thankyou for sharing this as a Bloke whos been a victim of violence over the years Im not a fan of remembering or glorifying violence against anyone let alone a women. I did sit through this and thank-you for being candid and sharing information that l was not aware of. I enjoy yous blogs because they say it as it is and correct the populist themes that we see all to often in society these days...again whilst l found the Truth of this a little pointed l did stick with it...regards Doc from Down Under in Australia

[@katiegriffin9354]

Wonderfully put!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@pppantz]

Thank you for the truth about these women. I have honestly not had a lot of curiosity but I have never considered anything but the traditional salacious tales.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You are very welcome.

[@yarrowwitch]

Thanks for sharing your own experiences, insights,and growth.

[@kellygreen4993]

I can see where you are coming from Jessica. I can see why this would make an individual upset, as it should. I thought i knew a fair bit about JTR, but I learned a bit more from this video.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@mikepotts2470]

A very refreshing take on this subject. Do you have any information or have done a video regarding the notion the women may have been sleeping rough when attacked ? This idea has intrigued me for a long time but there’s little information about it. Even the autopsy reports should have evidence pertaining to this. Any dialogue gratefully received

[@mpol701]

As many had gone out to warn money on the streets to get there rent, then they had at least all. Intended to get there room money for the night, ice wen nothing to suggest they were sleeping and indeed if a sleep the coroner woukd be able to determine that by blood flows etc

[@TheMuseumGuide]

The post-mortem reports do not mention whether they were sleeping or not - but the women were approached from behind and most did not make any sound.

[@avalonkerr8332]

Honestly, I have always felt the real story is interesting without the embellishments. I feel differently about actual fiction; but see no reason to re-write history. It doesn't need that to be interesting! I feel like there could be a really worthwhile museum exploring the press/reporters, and police force at the time; along with the social issues.

[@appleatchaadventure7664]

Please keep pushing forward. There are many behind you

[@gregmelnyk3066]

I live in Massachusetts and have similar feelings about Salem's embrace of the witch trials - it's a fascinating topic but ultimately medieval and early modern conceptions of witchcraft had no basis in reality and often derived from antisemitism, misogyny, and racism. It's really weird to see the persecution, torture, and execution of people who were never "witches" or "satan worshippers" but just innocent women and men just as devout as anyone else they knew treated like a macabre tourist attraction and pilgrimage location for modern day "witches".

[@onniejohnston2276]

Great job amd great points. I'd love to know more about these women. Please consider tour of their living spaces. Thanks you for

[@roqqwright3160]

Thanks 🙏🏽. You do a good job. I learn a lot from you. You hold my interest🔥🔥🔥

[@Jim_Norcross]

I've always read that the kidney with the Dear Boss letter was identified by doctors as human and, from an individual suffering from Bright's Disease. Is that not true?

[@TheMuseumGuide]

With all of this, it’s up for debate. One doctor said it appeared to have Brughts disease, but that isn’t definitive.

[@betttrbeth]

You make so many great points.

[@Rose-pt4xb]

Growing up in the Bethnal Green, I was introduced to Jack the Ripper very early, especially with my dad being a history buff. When I was at school, we went to the Docklands Museum where they had an exhibit dedicated to the crimes; the Dear Boss letters were there along with other items from Scotland Yard. Richard Jones's channel Jack The Ripper Tours is a fantastic one to watch to find out more about the cases and the victims. For me, it's the original 'whodunit'. Thank you for bringing light to the darker side of these often Hollywood-ified events.

[@joiedevivre2005]

Thank you so much for making this video & giving these women a face, a voice & a little dignity. People like to forget that these were actual living, breathing women with hopes, dreams, lives & loved ones - just like them. I can't stand exploitative "entertainment". I volunteered in rebuilding efforts in New Orleans following Katrina. I HATED those "Katrina Tour" buses that would drive through the neighborhoods so that tourists could ogle the destruction. They claimed they were just "making people aware of the tragedy'. No they weren't - they just wanted to gawk & laugh at people's misfortunes while pocketing the proceeds.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

That is such an interesting comparison! Dark tourism can be very exploitative.

[@KosmikElf]

I completely agree with the museum guide. I do, however, watch for any news on solving the identity. ( Which is most unlikely..but there is always hope)

[@lindyloo7177]

Good for you for redressing the inaccuracies ❤

[@TheMuseumGuide]

My pleasure. Well, not really 🤣

[@That_Emily]

BABE! Get in here! Jessica posted a new video! ❤

[@TheMuseumGuide]

ha! Thank you.

[@jameskelly7782]

I agree, no one knows, and odds are that even if a written confession was somehow discovered, it wouldn't make a bit of difference.... those unfortunate women are still dead, and so is "jack".

[@johnnzboy]

A very thoughtful and well-reasoned look at the Jack-the-Ripper industry - as you point out, there is a valid psychological justification why women in particular are drawn to true crime and fictional crime stories but even so, I find such fascination ghoulish and distasteful - I've never found entertainment in consuming tales about the mistreatment, torture or murder of others (particularly women, who seem to be the majority of victims in such narratives), but I'm clearly in the minority considering the overwhelming popularity of true crime and fictional crime stories. I used to live in London before this so-called museum opened and I actively avoided anything to do with this wretched case - I was an enthusiastic tour guide when overseas friends came to visit but the few times that any of them wanted to take such a tour, I politely declined to accompany them.

[@TheNemo1010]

Such a great video, as always. Thank you!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

My pleasure!

[@serkles8597]

I can't say I've ever given Jack the Ripper much thought. I've heard the name and know that he was a 19th century murderer that was never caught. Thank you for providing this perspective.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

You're very welcome!

[@usmcrn4418]

My favorite episode of yours to date.. I don’t necessarily agree with some who consider the interest in the Ripper murders as glorifying anything. To myself and my wife, we see it as a historical point.. the first well published serial killer, in the modern urban sense, who was also never caught. We find it intriguing and interesting for that reason. And we think that if he’d been caught and hanged, he’d just be a little blip on the radar of criminal history. On the other hand, I can see the point of the young lady that interrupted your tour.. and there are some who seem to love to wallow in the gruesome murder of innocent downtrodden people. I’m not sure what to think.. except that we should guard against over sensationalizing any crime.. and always reflect on the plight of the victims and their families. Life and death is not like a computer game where you can respawn after you die. BTW- we’ve taken two different ripper tours in London over the past 10 years.. the first was excellent.. very respectful and not over sensationalized. The other? Awful.. inaccurate.. sensationalized crap. 😐

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you for watching!

[@olgafav.8491]

I absolutely love your perspective. Yes, public loves myths and enjoys gruesome stories but that doesn't make monsters, which most of serial killers are, less horrible and theirs deeds - more fascinating. Perhaps, the time has come to focus on the victim rather than the murderer when telling about real crimes, and leave our thirst for macabre to be satisfied mostly with fiction. That doesn't mean that tours must be stopped and shops closed to commemorate the dead and start the implied fighting for women's right, but maybe the concept of the memorial, with real facts and public fantasies separated as much as possible, is more appealing than freaky enjoyable 'house of horrors'. Thank you for your honest review!❤

[@Angelicwings1]

I would love to learn more about the ladies. You made some great points and it’s important people realise the truths and not the myths.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you for watching!

[@jontusmcginger1455]

also; that book is phenomenally flawed and cherry-picks evidence like there's no tomorrow.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

All books about the Ripper are. Her work is well-cited.

[@ArtisticallyArranged]

Thank you for this very enlightening video. I would really love to know more about the lives of the women involved in this case.

[@enjorlas_]

This was an incredibly well-composed video that i think summarized the thought I also share-- whoever "Jack" was, was gross little creep of a man who doesn't deserve to be known. The lives of these women do. That is what we should focus on, as well of the lives of current sex workers and the violence they face. I feel the sensational nature of the museum comes from the fact that we will most likely never know. I would love a follow up video about the women's lives who were sadly victims to him. Really wonderful video, so glad I just found you today! (also ty for the acknowledgement of trans women! ik it's not incredibly popular to do so but I really appreciated it!)

[@enjorlas_]

also fingers crossed for a Caitlin Doughty collab! Y'all would vibe so well!

[@candicesantiago727]

I love watching and hearing about True Crime cases. Love trying to figure out who the suspect is .

[@robertortolano6366]

Nicely done and couldn’t agree with you more. Please do the next video.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

I’m thinking September! Thanks for watching.

[@TheDailyWitch]

Yes please on a future video about the women. This was very thought provoking. Thank you for this Jessica!

[@m.p.6039]

I remember watching a documentary on television about Jack and guided tours, and there was this one man who asked the guide if it was true that they were standing on a piece of pavement where Jack himself had once stood. And when she said yes he got down on his knees to reverently touch the pavement as if it were holy ground, like he had a hero worship thing going on about Jack - which he of course did, like so, so many, many men do.

[@TheMuseumGuide]

That’s incredibly disturbing. 😢

[@Rholt1002]

Thank you for having g compassion even though these women are long since passed

[@TheMuseumGuide]

It is my pleasure.

[@TheFeralFerret]

I strongly believe Jack was a nasty, weird little man that all the ladies found creepy. Really appreciate your kind and nuanced take on this subject. It's vanishingly rare these days!

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you!

[@mary-anneswanson1428]

I would love to see a video about the lives of the women who were murdered in white chapel . Iwould also like to hear from the woman who approached you or one of the ladies who protested the museum . Thank you for proving that real history is worth learning.

[@terrynicoll5443]

It's so strange. I have a hard copy of The Five displayed on my desk in my office. The book gives the reader an intimate portrait of the victims.