The museum covers 10,000 years the history of the Isle of Man from the Stone Age to the modern era.

[2][6] The Manx Museum opened on 2 November 1922 with Philip Moore Callow Kermode as its director.

[7][8] The museum was expanded and was significantly remodelled between 1986–89 and a large extension included a lecture and film theatre, and an art gallery.

[10] Other recent exhibitions have included This Terrible Ordeal which focused on the experiences of the Manx people in World War I,[11] and the artwork of British artist William Hoggatt.

[12][13] Events are also held at the Museum, such as the 2008 launch of the book Practical Manx by Jennifer Kewley Draskau.