National Army Museum facts for kids
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The main entrance of the National Army Museum from Royal Hospital Road
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| Established | 1960 (collection); 1971 (building) |
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| Location | Royal Hospital Road London, SW3 United Kingdom |
| Visitors | 215,721 (2008, up 7.3%) |
| Public transit access |  Sloane Square |
The National Army Museum is the main museum for the British Army. You can find it in Chelsea, a part of central London. It's right next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where the famous "Chelsea Pensioners" live. The museum is a special public organization.
The museum is usually open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It's closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. The best part? It's free to visit! This museum tells the story of the entire British Army. Other museums might focus on just one part, like a specific group or regiment of soldiers.
It's different from the Imperial War Museum in London. That museum covers all war experiences (soldiers, sailors, air force, and civilians) but only from 1914 onwards. The National Army Museum covers a much longer history of the army. It also looks at the history of armies in places like British India before they became independent.
Contents
The Museum's History
How the Museum Started
The idea for the National Army Museum began in the late 1950s. A man named Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer worked very hard to raise money for it. The museum was officially created in 1960. Its goal was to collect, keep, and show items and records about the British Army and armies from the Commonwealth. It also wanted to encourage people to learn about their history.
At first, the museum was in a temporary building at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
A New Home for the Museum
A new building was designed in a style called "brutalist architecture." Construction started in 1961 on land that used to be part of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The new building was finished ten years later. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it on 11 November 1971.
There was a plan to open another museum in Catterick, North Yorkshire, but it didn't happen. Instead, the museum in Chelsea got a big makeover from 2006 onwards. They created new displays and exhibition areas. This work finished in October 2010 with a new gallery about National Service. More improvements continued after 2011.
Modern Updates and Changes
From May 2014 to March 2017, the museum was closed for a huge renovation. This project cost £23.75 million. The updates created five new galleries that show British military history. These galleries cover everything from the English Civil War to modern times.
The new design aimed to help visitors understand the army's history and its connection to the public. It explored difficult topics and shared the experiences of those who served. The museum wanted to offer an "immersive experience." This meant visitors could try things like riding simulated tanks or learning about war tactics in a 3D environment.
In March 2017, Queen Elizabeth II reopened the museum. While many people liked the new look, some felt it focused too much on themes instead of a clear timeline. They also thought some displays lacked important details.
However, in 2022, under a new director, Justin Maciejewski, the museum began to focus more on historical facts. It aimed to tell the Army's story from a clear, evidence-based point of view.
Museum Galleries
The museum's galleries have been updated over time. In 2017, there were five main galleries: Soldier, Army, Battle, and Society, plus a temporary display space.
By April 2023, some of these galleries had new names. "Empire" and "Army" became "Formation" and "Global." "Battle" was replaced by "Conflict in Europe" in April 2023. "Society" is planned to become "Army At Home" in September 2023. These changes help the museum tell the army's story in new and interesting ways.
How the Museum is Run
The National Army Museum became an independent public body in 1983. This means it runs itself, but the Ministry of Defence provides some funding. A board of trustees oversees the museum.
Museum Directors
- Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Bernard Appleby (1971–1975)
- John Paris (1975–1982)
- William Reid (1982–1988)
- Ian Robertson (1988–2003)
- Alan Guy (2003–2010)
- Janice Murray (2010–2017)
- Justin Maciejewski (2018–present)
Images for kids
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The museum's logo
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The main entrance of the National Army Museum
See also
In Spanish: National Army Museum para niños
