For anyone interested in the history of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth is the one place to visit to pursue this interest, no matter what period of the Navy's history is being studied. The Historic Dockyard houses a unique collection of vessels; HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose; and also possesses a superb collection of naval history in the Royal Naval Museum. The visitor to the Dockyard may think that this unique collection cannot be improved upon, but this situation is changing in a dramatic way.

Over the years the museum's collections have expanded enormously, and only a small part of these collections is actually on display to the public. The museum has always sought to tell the story of the Royal Navy from earliest times through to the present day, and has increased its remit since the arrival of HMS Warrior and the Marv Rose in the 1980s. To build on this development over the past and create a new museum that can take the story of the navy into the new Millennium, the Royal Naval Museum has embarked upon a comprehensive and large-scale development. By the time you read this, some o fthe development will actually have taken place.

The museum plans to expand into presently unused space by restoring and converting the upper floors of the 18th Century Storehouses, so opening up these great naval buildings to the public. On the Hornblower's Navy Tour run by Midas Historic Tours last October, we were given a tour of these Storehouses, and were able to appreciate their impressive architecture. The existing galleries of the museum will be improved and new ones created; new improved research facilities are being created to allow greater access to the museum's collections for researchers; and the museum's education service will be enhanced.

Three new permanent galleries will be opened from December 1998 through to October 1999. The first is entitled Nelson: The Hero and the Man and was opened to the public on 28 December 1998. This gallery examines Nelson's extraordinary abilities as history's most famous naval commander and also his human side, including his legendary love affair with Lady Emma Hamilton. This exhibition includes the most realistic model ever made of Nelson, based upon extensive research performed at the museum; a dress as worn by Lady Emma Hamilton recreated from fragments of hem held by the Museum; special sections devoted to his wife, Lady Fanny Nelson and Horatia, Nelson and Emma's daughter. On display will be a specially commissioned video about Nelson's life; interactive computer displays; items ofNelson commemorative material from the Lily Lambert McCarthy Collection, and many of the existing relics from the Museum's collection that have been redisplayed. The exhibition is designed to appeal to and educate the entire family, including a hands-on activities centre for children,

The three brand new galleries are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Hampshire County Council. The second gallery will open at Easter, to be called The Sailing Naw. looking at Nelson's Navy in detail. The third, The Battle of Trafalgar. will open on 21 October 1999, Trafalgar Day. The Museum and gallery is open daily from 10.00am until 5.00pm, with admission to the Museum being £ 3.00 for adults, £ 2.50 seniors and £ 2 children. For more details about the attractions at the Dockyard telephone 0 1705 861512. 

While much of the funding for this new development has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Hampshire County Council plus many Charitable Trusts, funds are still required to help make this museum the most impressive in the country. If you would like to make a donation or find out more about the project, contact Mr Julian Thomas, Development Manager, The Royal Naval Museum, HM Naval Base (FF66), Portsmouth, Hants, F01 3NH. Tel. 01705 727567.

More Dusty Archive

The Royal Naval Museum Development Plan
The Royal Naval Museum and Admiralty Libraries, Portsmouth
Hornblower's Navy - A Naval Tour of Portsmouth