Nairobi National Museum

Museums serve as spaces for discovery, contemplation, and learning, and the Nairobi National Museum, part of the National Museums of Kenya, exemplifies this mission. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Nairobi’s Central Business District, the museum focuses on four key areas: culture, history, arts, and nature, making it a vital center for educational and cultural enrichment.

Historical Background

The Nairobi National Museum’s roots trace back to 1910, when a group of dedicated naturalists from the East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society (now the East African Natural History Society) needed a space to preserve their diverse collection of specimens. Initially situated at what is now Nyayo House, the museum moved in 1922 to a larger facility at the current site of the Nairobi Serena Hotel due to the growing collection.

In 1929, the colonial government allocated land on Museum Hill for the museum’s new construction. Officially opened on September 22, 1930, it was named Coryndon Museum in honor of Sir Robert Coryndon, a former Governor of Kenya. After Kenya gained independence in 1963, it was renamed the National Museum of Kenya (NMK).

Construction

The construction of the museum’s current location began in 1929 on fifteen acres of land designated by the colonial government. Situated on Ainsworth Hill, now known as Museum Hill, the facility was officially opened by Governor Sir Edward Grigg on September 22, 1930.

The original museum, established in 1910 as the Museum of Natural History, was housed in a rented building where Nyayo House now stands. In 1922, it moved to Kirk Road (now Valley Road) to accommodate its expanding collection, later becoming the foundation of the present-day museum.

The Coryndon Museum featured a foyer leading to a central hall, ninety feet long and fifty feet wide, surrounded by a ten-foot-wide gallery. One wing housed the library and administrative offices, while laboratories and workrooms occupied the back. Renamed the National Museum of Kenya in 1964, the museum underwent its first major refurbishment starting in October 2005. President Mwai Kibaki laid the foundation stone in 2006, and the newly renovated museum was officially re-opened on July 14, 2008. The museum now includes art galleries, temporary exhibitions, botanical gardens, and a nature trail, along with ten permanent exhibitions such as the Cradle of Mankind, Great Hall of Mammals, Cycles of Life, Hall of Kenya, and the Centennial History of Kenya exhibition.

Attraction Points

The museum features both temporary and permanent galleries that appeal to learners and tourists alike. The permanent galleries include:

• Cradle of Humankind Gallery: Showcasing exhibits on early humans and Stone Age tools, this gallery also includes a Bird Gallery that highlights the diversity of East African birds, organized into family groups such as birds of prey, water birds, and sunbirds, illustrating their adaptations to different environments and feeding habits.

• Story of Mammals Gallery: This gallery explores the evolution, locomotion, feeding adaptations, and defense mechanisms of mammals, from large elephants to bats and shrews. The exhibit presents the story of mammals through themes of evolution, locomotion, and adaptation.

• History of Kenya Gallery: Offering a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s rich history and cultural heritage.

• Cycles of Life Gallery: Exploring the various stages and cycles of life through engaging exhibits.

• Numismatic Exhibition: Displaying a collection of currency and the history of money in the region.

• Asian African Heritage Exhibition Gallery: Highlighting the contributions and heritage of Asian communities in East Africa.

Each gallery provides a unique educational experience, making the Nairobi National Museum a significant destination for anyone interested in learning about Kenya’s natural and cultural history.