The ruins of the Residency remind us of the great uprising of 1857 in Lucknow. They are preserved in the same condition in which they came under central protection in the year 1920. The museum has been established keeping in view of its importance during the First War of Indian Independence. The museum is housed in a portion which was annex of the main Residency building and was earlier used for displaying a model of the Residency complex.

The museum, designed to present a visual accounts of the freedom struggle of 1857, consists a model of the Residency, old photographs, lithographs, paintings, documents, period objects such as guns, swords, shields, musketing cannons, rank badges, medals and other items. Diorama and paintings on canvas showing some of the battle at the Residency and other relating to the theme also from part of the display.

The exhibits present the story of 1857 in a chronological order. Original photographs and lithographs of many sites, connected with the uprising, and paintings depicting significant events of the uprising have been displayed along with portraits of local heroes. A number of maps showing strategic positions in Lucknow, the center of the uprising of 1857, map of the Residency and a drawing of the layout of the gallery have also been displayed.

The museum is divided into two parts, ground floor and basement. The ground floor is approached through a large double columned portico at the southern direction. A small room at the entrance leads to the galleries at the ground floor and galleries at the basement through spiral staircases. The ground floor contains four galleries numbering and the basement having seven galleries.

Recently a new gallery has been added to the basement of the museum which houses the artifacts recovered during the excavation in the southern portion of the Residency complex. These include various terracotta human and animal figurines, a loaded revolver, porcelain wares, cannon balls, terracotta roof tiles, fragments of wine bottles, and silver plated whisk fly, etc.

Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on – Monday

Entrance Fee :
Rs. 5/- per head
(Children up to 15 years free)ASI.