Charles Edwin Woodrow (C.E.W) Bean was Australia’s first official war correspondent in the First World War. He later wrote six volumes of the Official History of the war, and was a founder and driving force for the Australian War Memorial.

Named in his honour, the extended CEW Bean Building (designed by Lyons Architecture) will house the Memorial’s extensive archives with extended space to store, digitise and preserve our extensive archives.

Inside new Charles Bean Research Centre
Image: Inside the new Charles Bean Research Centre. Artist impression.

The world-class Charles Bean Research Centre will provide:

  • A welcoming space for visitors, researchers and historians
  • Advanced services for family history research
  • Secure access to the National Collection 
  • Access from the forecourt of Poppy's cafe

It is expected to be open to the public in the first half of 2025.

Charles Bean Research Centre and CEW Bean Building. Artist impression.
Image: Charles Bean Research Centre and CEW Bean Building. Artist impression.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.