“Through our ground-breaking new galleries we will create an accessible, engaging narrative populated by the stories of real people from diverse communities. Above all, we will show that the Second World War was a moment when the world changed completely.”
IWM Director-General Diane Lees CBE, FMA, FRSA
Since 1917, IWM London has been collecting objects and stories revealing people’s experiences of war and preserving them for future generations. After re-opening our First World War Galleries and atrium in 2014, marking the centenary of the First World War, we have now launched the next phase in the transformation of IWM London - to significantly expand and update our Second World War and Holocaust Galleries, and create a learning suite across all three floors of the exhibition.
Opening in 2021, this £30.5 million project will make us the first museum in the world to physically and intellectually present the Holocaust narrative within the context of the Second World War. Major supporters to date include The Pears Foundation and The Garfield Weston Foundation, each of which have generously committed £5 million towards the project.
As the events of the Second World War and Holocaust pass from living memory and into history, our duty to preserve first hand memories, as well as objects and diverse histories, and to educate future generations has never been more pressing. We have to date secured 90% of our funding, and are actively seeking support from individuals, trusts, foundations and companies to secure the outstanding shortfall.
For more information, download our brochure.
To find out how you can support this project, please contact Robert Moye, Interim Executive Head of Development on rmoye@iwm.org.uk or 020 7416 5410.