The British Museum, founded in 1753 and opened in 1759, is the world's first public national museum. The current collection of artifacts in the British Museum consists of around 8 million items that span across 2 million years of human history. Some of the museums most famous and historic pieces include: The Rosetta Stone from 196 BCE Egypt, The Parthenon Sculptures from 438-432 Athens Greece, The Bust of Ramesses the Great from Egypt’s 19th dynasty, and Hoa Hakananai’a from Easter Island from around 1000-1200 CE. The British Museum’s collection was originally housed in the 17th century mansion, Montagu House, but was demolished in 1823 to make more room for the artifacts. In its place came the museum that we know today, Sir Robert Smirke’s enormous Greek Revival style building. 

Sources:

“History.” The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/history

“14 Things Not to Miss at the British Museum.” The British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/14-things-not-miss-british-museum