National War Museum facts for kids
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The National War Museum is a cool place to learn about Scotland's military history. It's located right inside the famous Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. This museum opened its doors in 1933.
It used to be an old building from the 1700s that stored military supplies. Today, the museum is managed by National Museums Scotland. It shows 400 years of Scotland's involvement in wars, from the 1600s onwards, through amazing displays and special shows.
Before it became the National War Museum, it had other names. It was once called the Scottish United Services Museum. Even before that, it was known as the Scottish Naval and Military Museum.
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Where is the Museum Located?
The museum is found in the Hospital Square area of Edinburgh Castle. This part of the castle is within the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. The building itself is quite old and has been a "category-B listed" building since 1970. This means it's an important historical structure.
The museum building has two floors and is managed by National Museums Scotland. You don't need a separate ticket to visit the museum. Its entry fee is included when you pay to get into Edinburgh Castle.
What Can You See Inside?
The museum has a huge collection of items used by Scotland's armed forces. These items cover many centuries of history. You can see broadswords, which are special swords from the Scottish Highlands. There are also displays about protection against chemical warfare.
You can even read letters sent home from combat by soldiers. The museum also has an art gallery. Here, you can see famous paintings like The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb. There's also a library for research.
How Did the Museum Start?
During World War I, many people thought about creating museums dedicated to warfare. Most agreed that these museums should be local, focusing on specific regions. In 1917, ideas for a Scottish museum began to form.
Alexander Ormiston Curle, who was a curator at the National Museum of Scotland, helped plan it. He got advice from organizers in London. A special committee was also set up by Edinburgh's Lord Provost, John Lorne MacLeod.
Early Plans and Delays
John Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, was also a big supporter of the museum idea. The committee worked hard in 1918 and 1919. They planned how to get items for the museum's collection.
However, after World War I ended, building the Scottish National War Memorial became the top priority. This memorial opened in 1927. Because of this, the museum project had to wait.
Opening the Museum
The idea for the museum was brought back in the late 1920s by the Duke of Atholl. They decided to use a building inside Edinburgh Castle. This building was originally built in 1748 by William Skinner. It was used to store military supplies.
It took more than three years to get the building ready. Finally, on May 23, 1933, the museum opened. It was called the Scottish Naval and Military Museum. John Buchan, a famous author and politician, officially opened it.
Changes Over Time
In 1949, the museum's name changed to the United Services Museum. This was done to include the Air Force, which became very important during World War II.
The museum was updated and improved in 2000. When it reopened, it was given its current name, the National War Museum.
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