The Museum of British and Commonwealth military operations since 1914, founded in London as a memorial to those who died in World War 1. It was housed in the Crystal Palace until 1924, when it was moved to the former Imperial Institute and then to the Royal Bethlehem Hospital. A new branch, the Imperial War Museum North, opened in Manchester in 2002. Its theme is war and conflict in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Imperial War Museum is a museum in London featuring military vehicles, weapons, war memorabilia, a library, a photographic archive, and an art collection of 20th century and later conflicts, especially those involving Britain, and the British Empire. The museum is partially subsidized by the government, but also relies on individual contributions.
The Museum
The Museum features military vehicles, weapons, war memorabilia, a library, a photographic archive, and an art collection. Items in the Museum are not necessarily British, and include other nations at war at the time, primarily France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Russia. According to the Museum, its collection includes "objects ranging from aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles and naval vessels to uniforms, badges, personal equipment, and medals and decorations; The grandeur of its collection has transformed the museum into an archive and art museum, as well. Outside the main entrance of the museum are mounted two 15" naval guns from former Royal Navy warships.
History
Originally located inside the Imperial Institute (now Imperial College), the Imperial War Museum was moved temporarily to the Crystal Palace, located atop Sydenham Hill. The Museum was founded there in 1917 to commemorate those who had died in World War I (which was still being fought at the time). In 1939, the Museum began including things relating to World War II, and then finally in 1953 it began its current policy of including memorabilia from all modern British conflicts.
Visiting the Museum
Entrance is free, though there may be charges for special exhibits.
Nearest Underground stations
Lambeth North tube station Waterloo station Southwark tube station Elephant & Castle stationOther branches
The Museum also has several other branches in the United Kingdom:
The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms Located in the bunker which was operational nerve centre of the British government during World War 2. The Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridge An aerospace museum, including many military aircraft. The Imperial War Museum North (Manchester) Opened in 2002 to provide access to the people of the North to the museum's collections.
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