British Museum London, England

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1753
The British Museum is founded with the purchase of the extensive collections of Sir Hans Sloane and the manuscripts of Robert Harley.
1753
The British Museum is housed in a 17th-century mansion called the Montagu House located on the site of the present museum.
1753
Death of Sir Hans Sloane, whose collection will form the foundation of the British Museum
1765
Mozart admires the artifacts in the British Museum
1772
The British Museum acquires the Greek vase collection of Sir William Hamilton.
1802
British Museum purchases Egyptian artifacts including Rosetta Stone
1816
British Museum acquires the Elgin Marbles
1820
Sir Robert Smirke produces the designs for the new British Museum buildings.
1823
Construction begins on the British Museum
1823
King George IV donates library to British Museum
1833
Construction of the north wing, which contains primarily books and exhibits on mineralogy and geology.
1847
The Front Hall of the British Museum, entered via the monumental south facade, opens to the public.
1850
West wing of British Museum expanded to accommodate new artifacts
1851
The pediment frieze, The Progress of Civilization by Richard Westmacott, is placed on the south facade of the British Museum.
1854
Construction of the Round Reading Room at the British Museum
1880
Natural history collections of the British Museum move to the new Natural History Museum
1998
The British Library moves from the British Museum to St Pancras.
2000
Great Court Completed
2003
British Museum celebrates 250th anniversary