Liberian National Museum, Montserrado County, Liberia

3.5 (65 reviews) Spent Ranking #3 in Monrovia Speciality Museums

One of the better museums in the region

The History of Liberia, according to the museum seemed to commence just 200 years ago. It seems the museum had no interest in covering the region's history prior to the freed slaves arriving from the Americas... doesn't take a genius to work out why. But what was there was pretty interesting as too was the building which is newly refurbished. Exhibits mostly covered very recent history, especially surrounding presidents and the first and second civil wars. I'd buy a book if you want a real in-depth and comprehensive history of the region. Top tips: Watch out for the mouse on the second floor. Wear a jacket - it's freezing in there. Avoid the photo section if you have a weak stomach. Don't let the museum official at the door who demands $10 per person without any official signage and/or ticket have a dime of your money. Contribute what you feel worthy to the donation box.

Address

Broad Street , Monrovia, Liberia.

Current local date and time now

Friday, May 10, 2024, 18:39

User Ratings

3.5 based on (65 reviews)

Excellent
22%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
34%
Poor
12%
Terrible
9%

Reviews

  • 3Sean4476 5:00 PM Sep 24, 2022
    Come with some prior knowledge
    The first floor is a collection of woodwork items that are commonly found sold in the street. The second floor tells a solid narrative of the country. The third floor didn't have electricity and mixed two photo exhibits on top of each other that was a bit disorienting. I really like Liberia so enjoyed the museum and was worth the 5USD. It is not an objectively good museum though.
  • 3Filthyfetta 5:00 PM Aug 19, 2011
    Could do with a bit more labelling and printed information
    I wouldn't make a special trip for it, but if you're in Monrovia one day you'll probably be near enough to call in. In a rather haphazard way, it charts the history of Liberia, including recent history. The museum was also a casualty of the war it documents. Apparently, lots was looted during that time. Although the dividing lines are a bit blurred, broadly, the ground floor covers the history, including the first - tiny - Liberian flag (but there are also lots of masks of the different ethnic groups), upstairs is the ethnographic section (but also a display on the recent war, and a dining table presented by Queen Victoria), and at the top is a gallery of paintings by Liberian artists. This top floor also has something that aspires to being a reading room - but you'd have to bring your own reading material. The building itself is lovely, and was once apparently the old Supreme Court. . It wasn't clear if there's an entrance fee, but I was asked to pay a small amount (no receipt) - which I didn't mind because without the 'guide' who accompanied me, I wouldn't have known what I was looking at half the time. It's on the north side of Broad Street, in between Center Street and Front Street

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