The Imperial War Museum London will permanently close its war medal exhibition on 1 June 2025 to develop new galleries highlighting post-Second World War conflicts. The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, housing around 200 Victoria Crosses, has been operational since 2010 but is now shutting down. IWM plans to continue showcasing these medals throughout its UK branches while expanding representation of modern conflicts.
The Imperial War Museum London (IWM) is permanently closing its war medal exhibition on 1 June 2025. This decision will allow for the development of new galleries focused on conflicts occurring after the Second World War, including the Cold War, the Falklands War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which opened in 2010 with a £5 million donation from Michael Ashcroft, features around 200 Victoria Crosses and has displayed Ashcroft’s collection alongside existing medals at the museum. Ashcroft has expressed disappointment at the closure and previously intended to bequeath his collection to IWM.
IWM confirmed that despite the gallery’s closure, Victoria Crosses and George Crosses will continue to be displayed across its UK branches, integrated into galleries that provide context about the conflicts during which these medals were awarded. The museum aims to enhance representation of post-war conflicts, as this era is currently underrepresented in its exhibitions.
In its statement, IWM highlighted the importance of regularly updating their galleries to make the most of its extensive 33 million-item collection. This is part of an ongoing effort to improve and expand their presentations related to both World Wars, the Holocaust, and modern conflicts over the past 80 years, addressing a notable gap in their current offerings.
The IWM will close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery on 1 June 2025 to create new exhibit spaces focusing on post-Second World War conflicts. Despite the closure of the medal exhibition, the museum will continue displaying these prestigious medals throughout its branches. This strategic move aims to improve the representation of contemporary conflicts in its collection, ensuring impactful storytelling for future visitors.
Original Source: www.museumsassociation.org