Home

HISTORY: Former Governor Sir Rex Hunt CMG officially opened the Falkland Islands Museum in its current location on 13 February 1989. Britannia House, which is home to the Museum, was built in 1980 for the Argentine Air Force, who at that time ran a twice-weekly air service to the Falkland Islands.

After 1982, the building housed various Commanders of the British Forces in the Islands until 1985 when Mount Pleasant Airport was completed. The Museum started life in 1987 as an empty house with a handful of exhibits and has built up over the years into a comprehensive and fascinating collection. The Museum is well-visited, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors in the last year - the majority of who are in the Islands on cruise ships.

Britannia House Museum

Shirley Hirtle at the Reception Desk

STAFF & ESTABLISHMENT: The Museum is operated by a small team, but relies on the support of Islanders both at home and abroad, new residents, military personnel and short-term visitors. Without the invaluable donations and contributions made by the public, the Museum would struggle to grow and develop. The Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust is a registered charity.

Board of Trustees: Alison Barton (Chairman), Tim Blake, Rosalind Cheek, Manfred Keenleyside, Joan Spruce MBE, Vernon Steen, and Helen Wallace.

Permanent Staff: Leona Vidal Roberts, Manager; Sian Davies, Assistant Manager; Shirley Hirtle, Receptionist/Secretary

Occasional Staff: Alison Barton, Tim Blake, Emma Edwards, Tooie Goodwin, Glenda McGill, Richard Morrison and Joan and Terry Spruce.

LOANS, DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Loans and donations to the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust are always welcome (please see Collection Policy). The F.I.M.N.T. is a registered charity (No.C6[E]). A Government subsidy assists greatly in the running of the organisation, but entry fees and donations are essential to allow continued development. Funds donated, whether for specific projects or general use, are always gratefully received and amounts over £50 are tax-deductible in the Falkland Islands.

Main Room of the Britannia House Museum

COLLECTION POLICY: At present the Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust has no clearly defined collection policy and will be pleased to accept most items, on certain conditions - available space for example. It is hoped that the Museum will soon be in the position to begin actively collecting to fill gaps and develop displays and archives that are incomplete. Loans and donations are always welcome. The owners will be asked to complete and sign a form, to ensure that accurate records of the collection can be maintained.

RESEARCH FACILITY: The Museum offers a research facility and we are, of course, happy to provide facts, figures and general information on the Falkland Islands’ community and history. Whenever possible, we will gather as much information as we have available on your subject and provide you with copies (scanned or photocopied) of documents, photographs etc. from our archives.