Kyoto National Museum

	Mandate:

	The Kyoto National Museum was established as an institution for the collection and preservation of cultural properties. In addition to exhibiting its collections to the public, the Museum conducts related research and conservation projects.

History of the Kyoto National Museum:

May 1889	Decision finalized to establish the Imperial Museum (Tokyo), the Imperial Museum of Kyoto, and the Imperial Museum of Nara. Decision made for the Imperial Museum of Kyoto to be built on the grounds of the Shichij? Imperial Estate.
June 1892	Construction begins on the Main Exhibition Hall, designed by architect Tokuma Katayama.
October 1895	Construction of the Main Exhibition Hall (current Special Exhibition Hall) is completed.
May 1897	The Museum opens its first exhibition.
June 1900	In accordance with government reforms, the museum name changes to the Imperial Household Museum of Kyoto.
February 1924	The Museum is donated to the City of Kyoto in commemoration of the marriage of the Crown Prince; name changes to Imperial Gift Museum of Kyoto.
April 1952	The Museum becomes a national institution and affiliate of the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Properties (today Agency for Cultural Affairs). Name changes to the Kyoto National Museum.
March 1965	The Collections Hall, designed by architect Keiichi Morita, is completed.
October 1966	Opening ceremony of the new Collections Hall and opening of commemorative exhibition in the Collections Hall.
June 1968	Kyoto National Museum becomes an affiliated institution of the Agency of Cultural Affairs.
March 1969	The Main Exhibition Hall, Main Gate, and Ticket Area are designated Cultural Properties of the former Imperial Museum of Kyoto.
July 1980	Conservation Center for Cultural Properties opens.
April 1981	Kyoto Center for the Research of Cultural Archives is established.
July 1984	Conservation Center for Cultural Properties becomes an affiliated institution of the Agency of Cultural Affairs.
April 1994	Collaboration and cooperation begins with the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies of Kyoto University.
May 1994	1000th lecture of the Saturday Lecture Series is celebrated.
August 1994	New Ticket Entrance is constructed at the Main Gate.
October 1996	First official homepage is created.
October 1997	Ceremony celebrating 100 years of the Museum is held.
March 2001	The South Gate is renovated as part of the new construction project for the 100th Year Anniversary Hall (tentative name). The former Higashiyama Ward Office is purchased to the Museum Administrative Office during the construction project.
April 2001	Kyoto National Museum becomes an independent administrative institution as part of the new Japanese government reorganization plan.
March 2002	Cooperative efforts with the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies of Kyoto University begins. The construction of the East Storage Facility and Library (former Youth Hall) begins in conjunction with the construction project of the 100th Year Anniversary Hall (tentative name).
May 2002	Renovations on the Former Higashiyama Ward Office begin in conjunction with the construction project of the 100th Year Anniversary Hall (tentative name).
October 2002	Teahouse Tan’an is restored and reopened.
November 2002	Information Desk opens in the Collections Hall.
January 2004	Automatic doors installed at the entranceay of the Special Exhibition Halll.
March 2004	A Slope placed at the entrance of the Special Exhibition Halll.