Its extension was intentionally done later, after Tanganyika’s independence (9th December, 1961) to offer rooms for storage and exhibition. This was followed by the presentation of Zinjanthropus’ skull to then, President Julius Kambarage Nyerere by Dr. Louis S. B. Leakey, 26th January, 1965 and later, it became the National Museum of Tanzania.

In preservation of natural and cultural heritage, the National Museum of Tanzania disseminate such knowledge to the public through cultural and education programmes, exhibitions, publications, print and electronic media.

The National Museum of Tanzania has been enhancing and expanding its services by opening branches in different regions of the country in order to reach the public.

Some branches were opened even before the Act. The National Museum of Tanzania is currently instituted by seven museums: Museum and House of Culture and Village Museum, in Dar es Salaam, Natural History Museum and Arusha Declaration Museum in Arusha, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s Memorial Museum in Butiama, Musoma, Mara region, and Maji Maji Memorial Museum and Kawawa Memorial Museum in Songea. Ruvuma region. The National Museum of Tanzania also oversees over 90 heritage sites which located all over the country.