The document summarizes 5 of the most famous museums in London: the Museum of London documents London's history from prehistoric to modern times and is housed in an uninspiring building but has an exciting interior; the British Museum was established in 1753 to document human culture and was the first public museum; the National Gallery has one of the finest collections of European paintings; the Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe located in London; and the Natural History Museum is known for its dinosaur skeletons and opened in 1881.