National Army Museum
About the National Army Museum
The National Army Museum (NAM) is the United Kingdom's national museum dedicated to telling the story of the British Army and its impact on society, past and present. Established by Royal Charter in 1960, the museum aims to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the history and traditions of the British Army and the Commonwealth forces. Its primary goal is to engage the public, spark curiosity, and foster understanding of the Army's role in British and world history, as well as the lives of soldiers. The museum underwent a major transformation and reopened its current site in Chelsea, London, in 2017.
Website Core Functions and Features
The National Army Museum website (www.nam.ac.uk) serves as a comprehensive digital gateway to the museum's resources and activities. Its core functions include:
- Visit Planning: Providing essential information for visitors planning a trip to the physical museum in Chelsea, including opening hours, location details, accessibility information, current exhibitions, and events.
- Online Collection Access: Offering a searchable database of the museum's vast collections, allowing users worldwide to explore artefacts, archives, photographs, and library materials related to the British Army's history.
- Exhibitions and Stories: Showcasing current, past, and online-exclusive exhibitions, alongside digital stories and articles that delve into various aspects of military history and soldiering.
- Learning Resources: Providing educational materials tailored for schools, families, and researchers, including downloadable resources, online activities, and information about learning programmes.
- Events Calendar: Listing upcoming talks, workshops, tours, family activities, and other events hosted by the museum.
- News and Updates: Sharing the latest news about the museum, its collections, and related historical topics.
- Support Information: Outlining ways the public can support the museum, such as through donations, membership, or volunteering.
Distinctive Digital Offerings
A key feature of the website is its extensive Online Collection. This digital archive provides researchers, students, and the general public with unparalleled access to hundreds of thousands of items from the museum's holdings, making it a significant resource for anyone interested in British military history. The site also often features curated online exhibitions and interactive content that bring historical events and soldiers' stories to life digitally.
Relationships and Funding
The National Army Museum operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. It is also a registered charity in England and Wales, relying on a mix of government funding, donations, grants, and commercial income to support its activities and maintain its collections.
Connect on Social Media
The National Army Museum maintains an active presence on several social media platforms:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalArmyMuseum
- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NAM_London
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nam_london/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NationalArmyMuseumUK
Summary
In essence, the National Army Museum website serves as both a practical guide for visitors to the physical museum and a rich, standalone resource for exploring the history of the British Army. Through its extensive online collections, educational materials, and engaging digital content, the site effectively extends the museum's reach and mission to a global audience, making British military history accessible to all.