The Imperial War Museum will close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery housing the largest collection of Victoria Crosses in June to make room for exhibitions on recent conflicts. Lord Ashcroft expressed sadness over the collection being secured instead of displayed. The museum plans to integrate its own medal collection into new displays that cover important recent military history.
The Imperial War Museum (IWM) has announced that it will close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, home to the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses, from June 2023. This collection includes around 200 Victoria Crosses and some George Crosses, which were generously loaned by billionaire Lord Ashcroft in 2015. The closure is to facilitate new exhibitions focusing on recent conflicts.
The closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery is a significant change for the Imperial War Museum, as it shifts focus towards contemporary military engagements. Although the Victoria Crosses will be stored securely, the museum assures the public it will display its own medal collection, aiming to tell comprehensive stories of bravery. This transition reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to updating its exhibitions.
Original Source: www.standard.co.uk