Imperial War Museum in Southwark London is the oldest out of the five museums in Britain dedicated for war efforts carried out by Britain and her empire. Inaugurated in the year of 1920, the museum was first located in the Crystal Palace but later was moved to the Imperial Institute in South Kensington. However the new location though central and prestigious did not have adequate space. Therefore the museum had to be relocated again to its current location at Southwark and was officially re-opened in the year of 1936.
The museum which was initially named as the National War Museum was concerned in having a collection of items which reflected the contributions made by the war heroes in Britain. This was later expanded to cover the contribution made during various wars by Britains empire, and thus the name was changed to the Imperial War Museum.
Though the museum stands majestically today housing many historical important items it has come under several attacks in the past which has made it compulsory to close down for prolonged periods. The first attack experienced by the museum was with the outburst of the Second World War in 1939. This attack damaged the naval gallery and destroyed a plane which was used in the battle of Jutland. After the first attack on the museum it was closed to the public till the end of the Second World War.
The museum which opened piece by piece added new exhibits like the submarine fuel pipeline PLUTO, flame weapons like the Wasp Universal Carrier and Churchill Crocodile and the fog dispersal method FOGO. The museum also added new wings to expand its exhibition space.
In 1966 the museum went for a major expansion which included a purpose built cinema at its premises. The naval guns that can be seen at the entrance which were installed at a latter stage were taken from battle ships which were part of the Second World War.
The phased out development programs which were carried during the 80s and the 90s saw the addition of new galleries housing tanks, vehicles, military hardware and aircrafts.
For anyone interested in the war history of Britain and her empire, the Imperial Museum in Southwark London is the ideal place to visit. One can stay at
Central London hotel such as
Elysee Hotel and visit the museum at leisure.
