British Empire and Commonwealth Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2002 |
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| Dissolved | 2013 |
| Location | Bristol |
The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum was a museum in Bristol, United Kingdom. It helped people learn about the history of the British Empire and how British colonial rule affected countries around the world. The museum opened in 2002 and closed its doors in 2013.
Contents
What Was the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum?
The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum was a special place in Bristol, England. It aimed to show visitors the story of the British Empire. This included how it grew and how it changed the lives of people in many different countries.
The museum opened in 2002. It was located in Bristol's old railway station. This historic building was designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The station was finished in 1840. It cost about £8 million to fix up and turn into a museum.
The old station building is very long, about 220 feet (67 meters). Its roof is made of wood and iron, spanning 72 feet (22 meters). This building is so important that it is a Grade I listed building. It has even been suggested as a possible World Heritage Site.
What Kind of Collections Did It Have?
The museum had many interesting collections. It had a department that published books. These books were about different parts of life in the colonies. For example, there were books on the history of the Northern Rhodesia Police. There was also a list of army units from the Honourable East India Company.
The museum also looked after items from the Commonwealth Institute. It had huge collections of photographs, papers, films, and oral history recordings. An oral history is when people share their memories and stories by speaking. The museum also had a collection of historical costumes.
After the museum closed, these collections were given to Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives. This means that the items are now cared for by the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. The archives, like papers and films, are looked after by Bristol Archives.
Unlike many big museums in Britain, this museum did not get money from the government. It was run by a charity. Because of this, visitors had to pay an admission fee to enter.
The "Breaking the Chains" Exhibition
One of the museum's most important exhibitions was called Breaking the Chains. This exhibition was funded by a £1 million grant. It was created to mark 200 years since the Slave Trade Act 1807 was passed. This act made the British Transatlantic Slave Trade illegal.
The exhibition explored the history of this trade and its end. It was very well-received. It was even shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize, which is a major award for museums.
What Happened to the Collections?
When the museum closed, its collections were given to Bristol City Council to look after. The actual objects are now kept at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. The archive collections, which include papers, books, photographs, and films, are at Bristol Archives.
Since 2014, Bristol Archives has been working hard. They are cataloguing many of the photographic and film collections. This means they are organizing and describing them. They are also making digital copies of them. This way, more people can see and use these important historical items.
See also
In Spanish: Museo de la Commonwealth y del Imperio Británico para niños
