Manchester Attractions

Imperial War Museum North

Built during the years 2000 and 2001, this magnificent museum was opened on 5th July 2002.  It is situated at the Quays on Trafford Wharf in Manchester an area that up until  recent years, had fell into disrepair and was in need an injection of culture and regeneration.  An architect was appointed, once the decision had been made to build on this site, which was located in an area which had been targeted during the Blitz of World War II, making the site even more significant.

The person chosen was Daniel Libeskind, a world famous architect who had designed many fantastic buildings worldwide, but this would be his first for Britain.  He designed a building with three key elements of war, earth, air and water.  The museum would represent the earth having been torn apart by conflict then reconstructed with many pieces.  There would be three central shards in the design.  The first would be the Earth Shard, which in fact was the floor with curves forming right angles to the curved walls.  The Water Shard was built with a tilt resembling a ship at sea and this overlooked the Manchester Ship Canal from its’ windows and housed part of the museums restaurant.  The Air Shard, which towered high into the building, had an observation area for visitors so that they could view the city of Manchester.

The museum exhibits war machinery and exhibitions which are displayed for a significant time period, before being returned to the London Imperial War Museum.  It also emphasizes the great role many individuals played in the various wars Britain has been engaged in.  A poignant collection of historical events is played on an hourly basis on the Big Picture Show, in the main exhibition hall and throughout the museum wartime historical pieces and artefacts are displayed.

The Imperial War Museum in the city of London has four branches, the Imperial War Museum North being one of them, along with the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, HMS Belfast and the Imperial War Museum Duxford.  The Imperial War Museum North has attracted visitors in excess of quarter of a million and the people of the North of England are thrilled to have such an important cultural building located within this area.