The Bloody Sunday Trust was established in 1997 on the 25th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Initially, it acted as a conduit for family members and friends seeking support or advice during the course of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and to commemorate those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday.
From the start, the Trust stated that its vision is to promote human rights, conflict transformation and understanding between people both nationally and internationally.
Shortly after the Trust was established, it decided that the Museum of Free Derry was an important way to achieve these goals, through encouraging a better understanding of the recent history of Derry and of Ireland, with a focus on its people telling their story.