The National Museums of Kenya
Nairobi
The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is a government institution established by an Act of Parliament, the Museums and Heritage Act 2006. The NMK is a multidisciplinary institution whose mission is to collect, preserve, research, document and present the past and present cultural and natural heritage of Kenya. This is done with the aim of promoting knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable use of these resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world, both for the present and for posterity. NMK's shared concern for the well-being of humanity and the conservation of the biodiversity of the East African region and the planet as a whole requires the success of these efforts.
In addition, the NMK manages many regional museums, sites and monuments of national and international importance as well as invaluable collections of Kenya's living cultural and natural heritage. As an institution that must respond to the growing needs of society, the NMK strives to contribute to national development in unique ways.
The history of the institution begins with what is now the Nairobi National Museum.
Exterior view of the National Museum Nairobi, Kenya.
The Gallery of Creativity - Planet Africa will be on display here from 29.11.2024!
The first two presentation boxes were built as a test at the beginning of November 2024.
Nairobi National Museum
Historical background
The museum was founded in 1910 by a group of enthusiastic naturalists within the then East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society [now the East African Natural History Society (EANHS)] who needed a place to store their collections of various specimens. The first location for the museum was what is now Nyayo House, which later became too small, so in 1922 a larger building was erected where the Nairobi Serena Hotel stands today.
In 1929, the colonial government provided land for the construction of a museum on Museum Hill, which was officially opened on September 22, 1930 and named the Coryndon Museum in honor of Sir Robert Coryndon, the former governor of Kenya. After independence in 1963, it was renamed the National Museum of Kenya (NMK).
On October 15, 2005, the Nairobi Museum closed its doors to the public to undergo an extensive modernization and expansion project. The result was an impressive and magnificent architectural work to rival other world-class museums. The museum reopened in June 2008 as the Nairobi National Museum and continues to attract visitors from all walks of life who appreciate Kenya's rich heritage.
Galleries
The museum has the following galleries: “The Cradle of Humankind” Gallery, ‘The History of Mammals’, ‘The History of Kenya’, ‘The Cycles of Life’, ‘Numismatic Exhibition’ and ‘The Gallery of Creativity’. The museum also has temporary galleries that host short-term exhibitions on various themes.
The Planet Africa exhibition will be on display in the Gallery of Creativity, covering an area of 256 square meters.
The first two presentation boxes
The exhibition team at the National Museums of Kenya reviewed and modified the interior of the boxes by adding additional support frames to increase the strength and stability of the boxes. The decision was driven by the museum's visitor numbers, which range from 1,000 to 1,500 on an average day. These figures also include schools and can be even higher at weekends and on school attendance days.
The presentation boxes are made by a leading manufacturer of wooden panels and wood-related products in Nairobi. The materials used are marine plywood panels for the exterior cladding and cypress wood for the frames.