Aldershot Military Museum facts for kids
The Aldershot Military Museum is a cool place in Aldershot in Hampshire, England. It tells the amazing story of the British Army in Aldershot. This town is known as the "Home of the British Army." The museum also shares the history of the towns of Aldershot and Farnborough.
A man named Brigadier John Reed had the idea for this museum. He wanted to save the history of the military town. He started a trust to raise money for the museum. John Reed even found the old buildings where the museum is today. These buildings are Victorian barrack bungalows. The museum first opened its doors in 1984.
The museum is in two barrack bungalows built in 1894. They are the only ones left of their kind. Because they are so special, they are called Grade II listed buildings. In 2014, the museum became part of the Hampshire Cultural Trust.
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Exploring the Museum's Stories
The Aldershot Military Museum has several exciting galleries. Each one tells a different part of history.
The John Reed Gallery: Army Life in Aldershot
This gallery shares the story of Aldershot as a military town. It covers history from 1854 until today. You can learn how the early army camp grew. It also shows how the Aldershot Garrison works now. This gallery was updated in 2001. It was named after John Reed, who started the museum.
The Montgomery Gallery: Big Military Vehicles
The Montgomery Gallery is a special building. It used to be at Field Marshal Montgomery's home. He was a famous army leader. This building was moved to the museum in 1995. It holds many large military items. You can see field guns, tanks, and armored cars here.
Rushmoor Local History Gallery: Our Towns' Past
This gallery is all about the towns of Aldershot and Farnborough. It tells stories of the people and businesses there. You can see displays about George Potters. They made drums for the British Army. There is also a recreated Victorian shop. You can learn about the French imperial family. Plus, find out about the pottery industry in Farnborough.
The Cody Gallery: First Flight in Britain
In 1908, something amazing happened in Farnborough. Samuel Franklin Cody made Britain's first powered flight. He was an American inventor. The Cody Gallery shows his story. It has a recreated part of his workshop. You can also see things like his flying helmet.
The Boyce Building: Barracks Life
The Boyce Building opened in November 2006. It is an old wooden barrack block from the 1930s. It used to be at Queen Elizabeth Barracks. This building was carefully moved and rebuilt at the museum.
The Boyce Gallery explores who lived in these barracks. Different army groups used to call it home. These included the Royal Army Service Corps and the Brigade of Gurkhas. The barracks closed in 2000.
Images for kids
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The N Block barracks from 1894 are Grade II listed. They house the museum.
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The M Block barracks from 1894 are also Grade II listed. They house the museum.
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This barrack hut holds the museum's historical records.
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A recreated Victorian barrack room.
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A recreated barrack room from the 1950s.
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A display in the Cody Gallery.
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An interactive Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle.
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A gallery showing different army uniforms.
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The Montgomery Gallery holds many historic vehicles.
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Chieftain and Challenger tanks are part of the museum's collection.
