The Natural History Museum in London, originally called the British Museum (Natural History), opened to the public on April 18, 1881, in South Kensington.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Origins: The museum's origins can be traced back to 1753 and the career of Sir Hans Sloane, a doctor and collector.
Early Plans: In 1864, Francis Fowke, the architect who designed the Royal Albert Hall and parts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, won a competition to design the Natural History Museum.
Architect: After Fowke's death, Alfred Waterhouse took on the project, designing the building in a mix of Gothic Revival and Romanesque styles, which Waterhouse envisioned as a "cathedral to nature".
Construction: Construction began in 1873 and was completed in 1880.
Opening: The museum opened to the public on April 18, 1881.
Move from the British Museum: The museum was originally housed in the British Museum in Bloomsbury, but as the collections grew, a larger space was needed.
Independent Status: The Natural History Museum became fully independent in 1963, with its own Board of Trustees, and wasn't permitted to use its present name until 1992.
