The Gambia National Museum has as its primary goal the collection and preservation of artifacts documenting the material culture of The Gambia, for use as tourist attractions and as important aids to introducing the value of the heritage into information programmes for the local population and in the country's school syllabus.

The exhibitions and programmes therefore, focus on those contributions made by Gambians to the arts, religion, politics, sports and technology. In so doing, the National Museum and Historic Sites museums in the provinces will aid in the recovery, understanding and appreciation of Gambian history and culture and hence provide a continuous source of knowledge and encouragement for future generations.

 
Interest in the collection of artifacts and the establishment of a museum goes back to the sixties and early seventies. A purely voluntary organization known as 'Friends of the National Museum Association' (FNlJA) was set up in 1970 and started collecting objects with the aim of establishing a museum. In 1971, it organized its first temporary exhibition at the then Bathurst City Council Hall.

In 1974, the Monuments and Relics Act was enacted, which in turn established the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) in 1976. The Commission was entrusted with the responsibility to acquire and maintain on behalf of Government Museums although it plays in reality a purely advisory role.
 

In late 1983, a Museums and Antiquities Division was created out of the Oral History and Antiquities Division, till then the arm of Government responsible for museum development and monument affairs.
The new Museums and Antiquities Division was given responsibility for safeguarding the material heritage in general, and for the Gambia National Museum and for the country's National monuments in particular. 

OPENING HOURS
9.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Thursday
9.00 am to 5.00 pm Friday to Sunday

ADMISSION CHARGES
Museums D50
Monuments D100

PARKING
Parking space is available within the museum premises for cars and mini vans and along Independence Drive for coaches.

INTRODUCTORY TALKS
Free introductory gallery talks can be provided it requested in advance of the visiting date.

PUBLICATIONS
Exhibition catalogues, posters and books published by the museum or by individuals are available for visitors.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is permitted using a hand-held camera
with flash, if required for souvenir and educational purposes only.
The use of any other equipment or for purposes other than stipulated above, requires permission from the Curator.

RECORDS
Reference can be made to publications, slides and photographs, at the Records Office. Reproductions, however, require permission from the Curator.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
Lectures on the permanent collection and on major changing exhibitions with audio-visual back-up facilities.

(Reservations for school/group tours must be made at least one week in advance of the visiting date).

- Art classes, craft workshops and demonstrations for
children and adults conducted by working artists. (In preparation).

- National travelling exhibitions supported by lecture series and audio-visual back-up facilities. (In preparation)

COLLECTIONS
The National Museum has established a  permanent collection of cultural objects including artefacts and works of art. It also collects books, historical documents and photographs relating to the material culture of The Gambia and to the work of the Museum generally. Donations of these items are welcomed by the National Museum.

The museum welcomes donations in any form to enable it to maintain its facilities and services to the public. Contact the Curator directly if you have any offers to make. Thank you.


THE MUSEUM
On February 18, 1985 the Gambia National Museum was officially opened to the public by His Excellency the President, Sir Dawda Kairaba
Jawara, as part of The Gambia's Twentieth Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

The National Museum's collections cover a range of topics, periods and geographical locations. At present, the permanent displays constitute the Museum's main public service. The space allotted to them must comprise at least 50 per cent of the Museum's total accommodation, the remainder being allocated to the Artefact Store, Records Office, Educational Resource Hall, Workroom, Darkroom and four offices.

The Permanent displays are divided into history and ethnography sections, The main hall and lower floor house the ethnography exhibition which displays indigenous industries and technology, music and dance. Located on the upper floor are the history and archaeology sections,
which together display human cultural development in the region from the Paleolithic period to post-Independent Gambia.

New acquisitions of artefacts, books, historical documents, works of art and photographs will be placed on display or in the Museum's reserve collection.

Getting there:
The museum is located on Independence Drive in the countries capital.

Banjul is very well served by private and public transport going into, out of, and around the city. Mini-vans leave from Bakau and Serrekunda car park, opposite the National Museum from early morning until late at night. In the city you can join any of the yellow taxi cars with green stripes which might be going you way.

Leaving Banjul for Bakau, join a mini-van at Bakau Car Park, opposite the National Museum. You can grab a seat on a Serrekunda mini-van bound from outside the Gamtel headquarters or from anywhere along Independence Drive.