Gurkha Museum – Project Kaida Update March 2026
The Gurkha Museum is entering a new era as construction advances significantly. As excitement builds, the museum’s transformation is gathering pace. The newly renovated public galleries are set to reopen this autumn. As the intricate components of this project align, The Gurkha Museum is delighted to offer a glimpse behind the scenes of this once-in-a-generation project.
In September 2025, as planned, the collections from the ground and first-floor public galleries were carefully removed and transferred to secure, specialised storage to ensure their protection during ongoing construction work. Significant progress has been made on the construction, including the removal of the internal wall, which has allowed access to the galleries for the first time in over thirty years, revealing the building’s full potential. Additionally, new openings on the ground, first, and second floors have been formed and finished.
In another section of the museum, the new internal walls for the lift shaft, wheelchair refuge, and stair cupboard have been constructed and plastered. The flooring surrounding the main feature aperture and lift area has been replaced, and the excavations conducted by the archaeological team have been carried out meticulously and sensitively backfilled with care.
The first and second-floor restrooms have been completely refurbished. The internal doors to the core areas are being progressively removed and replaced. Additionally, mechanical and electrical installations, including air conditioning, power, plumbing, and ventilation, are progressing throughout the building. After months of structural work, the museum is now beginning to see the first finishes appear with tiles on the walls and other final surfaces that hint at the welcoming, high-quality environment the visitors will soon enjoy.
Next month, the mounting contractor will start the detailed and skilled task of creating templates for every object intended for the new showcases. Each item will be measured individually to ensure that custom mounts are made to support and display it effectively.
The museum’s team has been deeply engaged with the archives, thoroughly searching for images, photographs, films, audio recordings, and documentary materials to bring your history and heritage to life. These resources will be used to create graphic panels, games, immersive scenes, interactive displays, animations, and trails throughout the space. This meticulous work allows the voices, memories, and moments of your forefather to be rediscovered and presented for new generations and those to come.
Outside the museum walls, a staff member visited The Workhaus, the primary contractor for the exhibition setup. During this visit, they remarked that the production of our exhibition setworks was underway and progressing positively. As they stood on the factory floor, they experienced a magical moment when two-dimensional drawings and plans transformed into three-dimensional reality.
The team thoroughly reviewed prototypes and samples, refining and confirming decisions that will influence the atmosphere and storytelling of the new displays. Seeing the Centrepoint sign, which will connect every soldier’s recruitment journey from Pokhara to Catterick, brought to life at full scale, was a powerful reminder that this ambitious vision is truly taking shape.
