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National War Museum
The National War Museum is the memorial to all New Englanders that have died in the military service of their nation. The building was opened by King Michael on the 8th July, 2033, the first anniversary of the beginning of the Five Day War. The museum also includes an extensive library collection of military documents and books. The museum is governed by the War Museum Trust, a crown statutory agency created by the War Museum Act 2030.
The museum and it's surroundings consist in three major elements: Kings Parade, the cenotaph and the museum building itself. The museum is considered to be one of the most significant buildings in New England, and it is afforded special heritage status by the Ministry of Conservation. The museum grounds are also the location of the annual commemorative services held in honour of those killed in war.
History
The idea of a national war museum was first mooted in the months before New England became independent in 2012. At the time however, the sheer cost of building a museum was beyond the scope of the government, and so the project was shelved until such time as it could become a more affordable option. Various governments continued to defer the project, citing budget constraints, planning issues, and a lack of exhibit material to mean the idea was effectively abandoned until 2030.
With the budget looking slightly better by the late 2020's, the Davidson government began drawing up plans to a museum in January 2030. A location was chosen at the end of King's Parade, which had already been specifically reserved for a building of national significance, although the original idea call for constructing a new residence for either the Speaker or First Minister. However all parties agreed that a museum commemorating those who had fallen in war would be a far more fitting structure for the site. Construction began in July 2030, with a design based upon that of the New Zealand Parliament building in Wellington. whereas that building remains incomplete from its original design, the War Museum would be faithfully built to that original design, complete with both wings and bronze cupolas adorning the roof of the building.
Construction carried on uninterrupted until July 2032, when the Five Day War immediately ceased construction. This interruption proved to be brief, and construction resumed ten days later. The exterior of the building was completed later that year, and the interior was finished by March 2033. Over the preceding years, the War Museum Trust had begun to slowly acquire material to fill the building. This process was completed by June, and the building that was ready to be opened late that month. The decision was taken to open the building on the first anniversary of the beginning of the Five Day War. Before a crowd of 2,500 people, King Michael officially opened the building at 11:00 on the 8th July 2033.
Throughout its operating history, the building has enjoyed high public patronage with attendance figures exceeding 750,000 for every year since 2044. Such popularity has led to the building being extended on two occasions to incorporate more exhibits and to allow for the library to better display it's collection. The most recent extension was opened by King James II on the 25th April, 2050.
Elements
Kings Parade - The parade is a major ceremonial road running through the Saumarez Estate in Armidale. The dimensions of the parade are a length of 750m, and a width of 60m, with the parade surfaced with red asphalt. Along both sides are planted Turkish Pines (Pinus brutia), in honour of the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915, and were a gift to New England from the Turkish government in 2029. The parade is used for the major commemorative events, and also public military displays commemorating anniversaries and special occasions. The entire parade is closed to traffic on weekends, public holidays and on ceremonial occasions as an ongoing act of commemoration.
The Cenotaph - A copy of the memorials in London and Auckland, the Cenotaph was added to the museum in the first extensions of 2040. Like its British and New Zealand counterparts, it is undecorated save for a carved wreath on each end and the words "The Glorious Dead". The Cenotaph is a gift to the people of New England from the government of New Zealand and was officially presented to King James I, by the Governor General of New Zealand in 2040. The Cenotaph is the focus of the commemorative services held at the museum every year. The most important of these are Independence Day (19 February), Anzac Day (25th April) and Armistice Day (11 November). Services are also conducted for veterans of the Vietnam Conflict (1962 - 1973), the Iraq War (2003 - 2009), the Five Day War (2032), and the various UN peacekeeping operations conducted since 1945.
The Museum and Library - the museum is divided into a number of different collections, each telling the story of a different war or campaign. In the centre of the building, sits the Hall of Remembrance, with the names of every single New Englander killed in battle since the South African War (1899 - 1902). The largest collections are dedicated to the first and second world wars and the civil war. Smaller, but still significant displays tell the story of the other conflicts of which New England has been a part. A large amount of space is also reserved for a library, with books, documents and manuscripts giving an official record of military actions taken by New England over the last 150 years. The museum is open most days, except Christmas and Holy Friday.
Governance
The National War Museum is governed by the War Museum Trust, a body established by the War Museum Act 2030. The trust receives the bulk of its money from the government, but also maintains a significant corporate patronage and money from public donations. The chairman is appointed by the King on the advice of the first Minister. The inaugural chairman of the trust was the former Chief of the Defence Force Staff, Sir Stephen Chandler, who was appointed in 2030. The board of the trust is currently composed of the following members:
- General Sir George Macpherson - Chairman
- Peter Clarkson - Director-General
- Rt. Hon. Sir William Howlett
- Admiral Sir Christian Godfrey
- Rt. Revd. Corey Tomlinson
- Dame Louise Petersen
- Sir Ryan Mullens
- Air Marshal John Westcott (ex officio) - Chief of Air Force
- Lieutenant General David Emerson-Hill (ex officio) - Chief of Army
- Vice Admiral Joshua Brown (ex officio) - Chief of Navy
