List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning museums facts for kids

Have you ever wondered how big museums like the British Museum came to be? Or how they get new items for their collections? It's all thanks to special rules called Acts of Parliament. These are laws made by the government of the United Kingdom. For hundreds of years, these laws have helped create, manage, and protect our amazing museums and art galleries. This article lists some of the most important laws that shaped these cultural places.

Early Laws: 18th Century

In the 1700s, people started to think about creating public museums. Before this, most collections were owned by rich individuals. Laws were needed to set up these new public spaces.

• British Museum Act 1753: This was a very important law. It officially created the British Museum. This museum was built using a huge collection of books, manuscripts, and natural history items left by Sir Hans Sloane. The Act made sure these treasures would be available for everyone to see and learn from.
• British Museum Act 1767: This law likely helped manage the growing British Museum.
• Sale by Lottery of Sir Ashton Lever's Museum Act 1784: This act allowed a special lottery to sell the collection of Sir Ashton Lever. This was a way to keep his museum's items together, rather than selling them off piece by piece.

Growing Collections: 19th Century Laws

The 1800s were a time of great growth for museums. More and more collections were being gathered, and new galleries were being built. Many laws were passed to help these institutions grow and operate.

• British Museum Act 1805
• British Museum Act 1807
• British Museum Act 1816
• British Museum Act 1824
• British Museum (No. 2) Act 1824
• British Museum Act 1832
• Museums Act 1845: This law made it easier for local towns and cities to set up their own museums. It was a big step in making culture available outside of London.
• National Gallery and Museums (Scotland) Act 1850
• National Gallery of Ireland Act 1854
• National Gallery of Ireland Act 1855
• National Museum of Industry for Scotland and General Register House Act 1855
• National Gallery Act 1856: This law helped manage the National Gallery in London, which holds many famous paintings.
• Industrial Museum (Scotland) Act 1860
• Sir J. Soane's Museum Act 1862: This act helped protect the unique house and collection of Sir John Soane, an architect. His house is now a museum that looks just as it did when he lived there.
• Dublin National Gallery Act 1865
• National Gallery Enlargement Act 1866
• National Gallery Enlargement Act 1867
• London Museum Site Act 1868

Quick facts for kids Public Parks, Schools, and Museums Act 1871
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to facilitate Gifts of Land for Public Parks, Schools, and Museums.
Citation	34 & 35 Vict. c. 13
Dates
Royal assent	25 May 1871
Other legislation
Repealed by	Mortmain and Charitable Uses Act 1888
Status: Repealed

• Public Parks, Schools, and Museums Act 1871 (34 & 35 Vict. c. 13): This law made it easier for people to donate land for public spaces, including museums. This helped many communities get land for their own cultural buildings.
• National Gallery (Loan) Act 1883: This act allowed the National Gallery to lend out some of its artworks. This meant more people could see these important pieces.
• Dublin Science and Art Museum Act 1884
• National Portrait Gallery Act 1889: This law established the National Portrait Gallery, which collects portraits of famous British people.

Museums and Gymnasiums Act 1891
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the Kingdom
Long title	An Act to enable Urban Authorities to provide and maintain Museums and Gymnasiums.
Citation	54 & 55 Vict. c. 22
Dates
Royal assent	3 July 1891

• Museums and Gymnasiums Act 1891 (54 & 55 Vict. c. 22): This act gave local councils the power to create and look after museums and even gyms in their areas.
• British Museum (Purchase of Land) Act 1894

Modern Museums: 20th Century Acts

The 20th century saw even more development in the museum world. New types of museums were created, and existing ones continued to expand. Laws helped manage these changes.

• National Gallery (Purchase of Adjacent Land) Act 1901
• British Museum Act 1902
• National Galleries of Scotland Act 1906: This law helped organize and manage the national art galleries in Scotland.
• National Gallery and St. James's Park Act 1911

Public Libraries (Art Galleries in County Boroughs) (Ireland) Act 1911
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend the Public Libraries (Ireland) Acts, 1855 to 1902, as respects the provision of Art Galleries in County Boroughs and for other purposes incidental thereto.
Citation	1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 9
Territorial extent	Ireland
Dates
Royal assent	18 August 1911

• Public Libraries (Art Galleries in County Boroughs) (Ireland) Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 9): This act allowed public libraries in Ireland to also include art galleries, bringing art closer to communities.
• Royal Scottish Museum (Extension) Act 1912
• Copyright (British Museum) Act 1915: This law likely dealt with the rules around copying works held by the British Museum.
• Imperial War Museum Act 1920: This act established the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of modern conflict.
• National Maritime Museum Act 1934: This law created the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, focusing on Britain's history with the sea.
• National Gallery (Overseas Loans) Act 1935: This act allowed the National Gallery to lend its artworks to other countries.
• Wellington Museum Act 1947: This law established the Wellington Museum, located in Apsley House, the former home of the Duke of Wellington.
• National Gallery and Tate Gallery Act 1954: This act helped manage the relationship between the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery, which focuses on British and modern art.
• National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland Act 1954
• Imperial War Museum Act 1955
• National Galleries of Scotland Act 1959
• British Museum Act 1963: This important act changed how the British Museum was run. It separated the British Library from the museum, making them two distinct institutions.
• Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964: This law gave local authorities more responsibility for providing and maintaining public libraries and museums.
• Museum of London Act 1965: This act helped create the Museum of London, which tells the story of London from prehistoric times to today.

Museums and Galleries Admission Charges Act 1972
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to remove impediments to the making of charges for admission to the national museums and galleries in Great Britain.
Citation	1972 c. 73
Dates
Royal assent	26 October 1972
Other legislation
Amends	National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 Museums and Galleries Act 1992
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Museums and Galleries Admission Charges Act 1972 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk

• Museums and Galleries Admission Charges Act 1972 (c. 73): This law allowed national museums and galleries to start charging visitors for entry. Before this, many were free.
• National Theatre and Museum of London Act 1973
• Museum of London Act 1986
• National Maritime Museum Act 1989
• Museums and Galleries Act 1992: This important law updated how many national museums and galleries were managed. It gave them more independence and control over their own affairs.

The 21st Century

So far, the 21st century has not seen many new major laws specifically about museums and galleries. This might be because the laws from the 20th century are still working well.

• none

See also

• British Museum Act