The Science Museum and the Second World War

Abstract

While the Second World War has been extensively studied, the role of the National Collections, particularly the Science Museum, has, comparatively, been neglected. During the war, the policies regarding the protection of the collections evolved from simply hiding items in seemingly secure locations to a system of protection and conservation. Once items were out of the London buildings, the museums, particularly the Science Museum, were used for a variety of purposes. After the war, all the National Collections were faced with severe constraints, but the Science Museum, which had escaped relatively unscathed, was able to reopen quickly in 1946. Besides management of their previous collections, the war also provided a collecting opportunity, in which several National Collections, including the Science Museum, became involved. Whether it was the threat of bombers or the subject of exhibitions, aviation was a central theme for many of the developments during the period.