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Originally located inside the ] (now ]), the Imperial War Museum was moved temporarily to ], located atop ]. The Museum was founded there in 1917 to commemorate those who had died in the ], even though the war had not yet been concluded. When that building burned down on ] ], a new location was found in Lambeth Road, Southwark. That building, designed by ], had originally been a ], ] (otherwise known as "]"), located in ]. In 1939, the Museum began including displays relating to the ], and then finally in 1953 it began its current policy of including memorabilia from all modern British conflicts. Originally located inside the ] (now ]), the Imperial War Museum was moved temporarily to ], located atop ]. The Museum was founded there in 1917 to commemorate those who had died in the ], even though the war had not yet been concluded. When that building burned down on ] ], a new location was found in Lambeth Road, Southwark. That building, designed by ], had originally been a ], ] (otherwise known as "]"), located in ]. In 1939, the Museum began including displays relating to the ], and then finally in 1953 it began its current policy of including memorabilia from all modern British conflicts.

==Collections==
===Art===
===Sound===
===Printed Books===
===Exhibits and Firearms===
===Documents===
===Photographs===
===Film and Video===
===Holocaust and Genocide History===


==Visiting the museum== ==Visiting the museum==

Revision as of 10:59, 29 October 2008

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This article is about the Imperial War Museum in London. For the museum in the Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, see Imperial War Museum North.
Imperial War Museum
Established1917
LocationLambeth Road, London SE1, England
Visitors712,000 (2006)
DirectorDiane Lees
Websitewww.iwm.org.uk
Imperial War Museums

The Imperial War Museum is a museum in London, England featuring military vehicles, weapons, war memorabilia, an extensive library open to the public Monday to Saturday, a photographic archive, and an art collection of 20th century and later conflicts, especially those involving Britain, and the British Empire. The museum serves as headquarters of a 5-branch system of related facilities. Funding comes partially from government grants as well as individual contributions and revenue generation through retailing, licensing income and other commercial activity. The museum is a Non-Departmental Public Body.

In addition to material artifact holdings, the Imperial War Museum archives houses a large collection of oral recordings of interviews with people who were affected by war in the 20th century. The sound archive has been used for a series of radio programmes and books, called Forgotten Voices, about war in the 20th century, including Forgotten Voices of the Great War and Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust.

Since October 2008, the museum's Director General has been Diane Lees. The previous Director General, from 1995 to 2008, was Sir Robert Crawford, CBE.

History

Originally located inside the Imperial Institute (now Imperial College), the Imperial War Museum was moved temporarily to the Crystal Palace, located atop Sydenham Hill. The Museum was founded there in 1917 to commemorate those who had died in the First World War, even though the war had not yet been concluded. When that building burned down on 30 November 1936, a new location was found in Lambeth Road, Southwark. That building, designed by Sydney Smirke, had originally been a psychiatric hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital (otherwise known as "Bedlam"), located in St. George's Fields. In 1939, the Museum began including displays relating to the Second World War, and then finally in 1953 it began its current policy of including memorabilia from all modern British conflicts.

Visiting the museum

Entrance is free, though there may be charges for special exhibits. Donations are encouraged. It is open daily, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm.

Other branches

The Museum serves as headquarters of a five-branch series of inter-related museums located throughout the United Kingdom. The other branches include:

Located in the bunker which was operational nerve centre of the British government during World War 2.
A light cruiser moored in the Thames.
An aerospace museum, including many military aircraft.
Opened in 2002 to provide access to the people of the North to the museum's collections.

Selected exhibition items

At the entrance to the museum two 15 inch (381 mm) guns can be seen: one from HMS Ramillies the other from HMS Resolution and HMS Roberts.

See also

External links

Museums and galleries in London
National museums
Imperial War Museums
Royal Museums Greenwich
Science Museum Group
Tate
Victoria and Albert Museum
Designated collections
Museum of London
Other museums and galleries
The London Museums of
Health & Medicine (selected)
Local history museums
Royal Collection Trust
Historic Royal Palaces
National Trust
English Heritage

51°29′45″N 0°06′30″W / 51.49583°N 0.10833°W / 51.49583; -0.10833

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