British Empire and Commonwealth Museum

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**British Empire and Commonwealth Museum**

Established	2002
Location	Bristol
Website	British Empire & Commonwealth Museum web site

The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum (grid reference ST597725) is a museum in Bristol, United Kingdom which explores the history of the British Empire and the effect that British colonial rule had on the rest of the world.

The museum opened in 2002 in Bristol's historic old railway station, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is the world's earliest surviving railway terminus, which was completed in 1840 and includes the passenger shed and the adjoining former engine and carriage shed. It is over 220ft long with timber and iron roof spans of 72ft, this Grade I listed building^[1] has been nominated as a World Heritage Site.^[2]

The museum is arranged across sixteen galleries in three primary themes:

Britain builds an empire
The rise of Victoria's empire
End of empire

The old station building

The museum has a flourishing publications department, producing books on aspects of colonial life such as the history of the Northern Rhodesia Police, and a register of titles of the regiments of the Honourable East India Company and East Indian Armies. The museum also holds the collection of artefacts of the Commonwealth Institute; extensive still photograph, paper, film and oral history archives, and a costume collection.

[edit] Admissions information

Unlike many national museums in Britain, the BECM is not publicly-funded, but is owned and operated by a charitable trust; consequently an admission charge is made. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Normal opening hours are 10am – 5pm. Last admission is at 4.30pm.