The British Museum is one of the largest and most important human history museums in the world. It was founded in 1700 by Sir Hans Sloane, who allowed his huge private collection of curios to be given to the state, if his heirs were paid £20,000. Eventually the government decided to buy Sloane’s treasures, and following his death in 1753 the British Museum was formally born. The first exhibition galleries and reading rooms opened in Montagu House, Bloomsbury, London, in 1759. Famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, the Sutton Hoo and Mildenhall treasures and the Portland Vase. There is also a programme of special exhibitions and daily gallery tours, talks and guided tours.
