The first public and national museum in the world was founded on 7 June in 1753 and since the 19th century, has had an ongoing row over the Elgin Marbles which Greece wants returned.

Housing treasures which span two million years of history, the museum recently headed the UK's effort to protect artefacts being destroyed in lootings in Iraq.

What are your memories of the British Museum? Did trips there bore you as a child? What would you imagine you'd like to see there next time? Will you visit for the free celebrations?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

Your reaction

When I was ten my mother put me on a Pullman Train to London from Leeds. I was alone and my father met me at Kings Cross. He took me to the Egyptology section of the British Museum. I had read about Egypt in Knowledge magazine and wanted to see a mummy. As a student I travelled through Egypt alone and visited many sites that I learned about on that trip to the museum.
Angela Hey, USA

The BM is one of the most wonderful buildings in the UK, and I understand that the money raised to build it was through a lottery (Britain's 1st?). Maybe it's about time we spend some of the current national lottery money on a new BM (say in the Midlands / Manchester) to house the 90% of exhibits that are not on show in London.
Simon, SE Asia

I visited the British Museum this past February and was completely awe struck by Norman Foster's glorious improvements to the grand old dame. What a fitting present for the generations ahead. As for the Elgin marbles I very much doubt they would even exist had they not been removed to the safety of the British museum. I only hope that they are still there when I next visit. Happy Birthday!
Bill Talbot, Canada

The Elizabeth II Great Court amazes me every time! S. Forsyth, United Kingdom

The British Museum is wonderful. The Elizabeth II Great Court amazes me every time! I've only looked at a fraction of what there is to see and I look forward to going again soon. The Elgin Marbles should stay at the British Museum - they'd have been ruined and lost if they'd been left in Greece. The BM has looked after them very well, and should make them an even bigger feature! It would be nice though if there was a bit more on British History - then again, maybe there is and I just haven't found it yet! Hooray for the BM!
S. Forsyth, United Kingdom

First memory: my grandfather taking me to see the "Vikings" exhibition in the 70s. I still have a badge declaring "I've invaded the British Museum". I've raided it many times since - as a reader in the old library, as part of a film crew, to look at my favourite pieces such as the Flemish miniature boxwood altarpiece, the Sutton Hoo treasure, the Lion Hunt reliefs - this and the British Library are my favourite buildings in London. 250 years isn't that old - many happy returns!
S, UK

My grandparents took me to Europe when I was 15. It is a tradition in Mexico to try to take kids on a cultural trip. I remember well how I was totally overwhelmed in the British Museum. I even thought I wanted to work in a museum all my life! It is a lovely museum that has made millions of kids love art and that must be the most exciting part of working in it. Congratulations to all who have made it possible.
Alejandra, Mexico

I recently moved to Colorado from London and miss most of all the British Museum - it was the kind of place you could visit on a rainy day and wander around for hours - it truly is a masterpiece and awed around the world.
Kate Varnum, USA

I saw the Rosetta stone. It's one thing to read about it in school text books, it's another to see it for real. Very impressive museum. I still remember the excitement when I saw the Rosetta stone for the first time - even though i saw it ten years ago. The museum is a world heritage. I feel nations claiming artefacts is all nonsense.
Khalid, India

It was a truly magical experience Ang, UK

My first visit to the BM was to see the Tutankhamen exhibition when I was just nine and totally fascinated by Ancient Egypt. It was a truly magical experience. I remember the awe I felt as I walked through the dark to see glass cases lit filled with all the amazing artefacts that I had just seen in books previously - the beauty of it all. Another memory was around 12 years ago, again with my sister, heading for the Egyptology department, and stumbling across the Sutton Hoo treasures. I had to be dragged physically away from them. My latest visit was in October, and I totally indulged myself there. The new roof is amazing. Long may our museums continue and be treasured and loved!
Ang, UK

In 1957, my father was stationed with the US Air Force at Fairford RAF Station. Our class took a field trip to the British Museum. Our school teacher urged us to look for the Rosetta Stone. I found the Stone, and I found more wonders than I can ever describe. Happy Birthday, British Museum!
Barbara, USA

I visited the British Museum on a school trip. I was awed and fascinated and it triggered a life-long interest in archaeology. More recently, my grandmother was taken to the British Museum when she was 103 years old. I'm not sure why, because she was still alive at the time. It's an amazing place, and one of which we should be justifiably proud.
C. Hunter, England

Not a very large museum, but one of the most beautiful in the world. I remember the stone of Rosette, and the fresco from Parthenon and the Persian fresco.
Francois, France

No matter how many times you go there's always something new to discover Mel, UK

I think the BM is a wonderful place for people of all ages. When I was little, my dad often took me there on days out to look at the mummies. I was always fascinated by the collections which range from Persian jewellery and Native American costume to rare books and meteorites. It's somewhere I still visit for an hour or so on quiet afternoons as no matter how many times you go there's always something new to discover. Happy Birthday!
Mel, UK

My story concerns the old British Library, which until recently was annexed to the British Museum. Near the end of my graduate study on 17th-century England I visited London and went to the BM/BL to see a book, printed in 1638, that was written by an important person in my research.

I jumped through the necessary bureaucratic hoops and gained access to the reading room. I found the book in the catalogue. A staff member went to obtain it. She returned 20 minutes later to inform me the book was in transport to the new site of the British Library in St Pancras. This volume had been sitting on the BL shelves for over 150 years, but at the moment I came to see it the thing was in the back of a truck in central London! This was disappointing, but being in that distinguished old reading room was a splendid experience, and the staff were very kind and friendly.
Matt, US

In 1990, when I was about 14, our school had a day trip to the BM. Shortly after lunch in McDonalds me and my friends found a small empty room with an Egyptian statue in the middle. So what did I do? I shot a big juicy spitwad through my straw-come-peashooter and struck the Egyptian right in the eye! I wonder how long it was before anyone noticed!
Matt, London, UK

My most enduring memory is looking up in awe at the new roof. Absolutely wonderful!
Simon Mallett, UK