In 1753, an Act of Parliament created the world's first free, national, and public museum: the British Museum, located in Bloomsbury, London. The current collection of artifacts in the British Museum consists of around 8 million items that span across 2 million years of human history, although only 1% (80,000) of the objects are on public display. One of the largest contributors to this collection was Sir Hans Sloane. He was known as a collector of artifacts from around the world. Upon his death in 1753, he gifted his collection of over 80,000 “natural and artificial rarities” to Great Britain. Thus, the Sir Hans Sloane collection became what is considered the founding collection of the British Museum. These items also became the foundation of the British Library and the Natural History Museum.  

The British Museum’s collection was originally housed in the 17th century mansion, Montagu House. It was refurbished multiple times before and after the museum became open to the public in 1759 to make room for the massive collection. However, more room was still needed to hold the British Museum collection, so in 1823 the Montagu House was demolished. In its place came the museum that we know today, Sir Robert Smirke’s enormous Greek Revival style building. This new home for the British Museum collection was completed in 1852. The British Museum’s building and artifact collection are both being expanded and developed to this day.  

Sources:

“History.” The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/history

“Sir Hans Sloane.” The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/sir-hans-sloane

“Fact Sheet - British Museum.” The British Museum , https://www.britishmuseum.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/fact_sheet_bm_collection.pdf