A registered charity, it is also a designated service museum under the terms of the National Heritage Act 1983 and receives Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Defence.

[1] On 28 October 2008 – its 50th birthday – the Museum won the Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year award from Tourism South East, recognising its excellence, both in terms of exhibitions and the quality of the customer service provided.

[2] March 2009 saw the launch of the Beverley Gallery – an area dedicated to a rolling programme of Special Exhibitions highlighting a broad range of subjects to a variety of audiences.

In September 2008, the Museum successfully purchased a rare medal for £41,000 (thanks to a contribution of £28,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund); the Naval General Service Medal with Trafalgar clasp was awarded to Lt Lewis Buckle Reeve, who, following serious injury at the Battle of Trafalgar, was laid next to the mortally wounded Nelson on board HMS Victory.

This medal was displayed at Eastney Barracks alongside Lt Reeve's entry in the Royal Marines Muster List for HMS Victory at Trafalgar.