Once the centre of the independence movement of India, Swaraj Bhawan (abode of freedom) now stands in its full glory next to Anand Bhawan, in the city of Prayagraj. With the rise of Jawaharlal Nehru’s prestige in the Indian Nation Congress Committee, this mansion gradually became the informal headquarters of the party and later in 1930 became the formal regional headquarters of the Congress, after the Nehru family shifted to Anand Bhawan. In 1940-46, the building of Swaraj Bhawan was confiscated from the Congress by the colonial authorities, as a response to a complaint that anti-government activities were conducted there.

The structure was utilised for various purposes throughout history, In 1929, Motilal Nehru opened the Allahabad Congress Hospital in Swaraj Bhawan’s premises, which was taken care of by Kamala Nehru. Later, In 1941 to honour her memory MK Gandhi established the Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital (KNMH) next to the Swaraj Bhawan. In 1948, Jawaharlal Nehru, acting on a plea, gave this house to children who had lost their parents and thus the Children National Institute (CNI) came into being. Finally, In 1989, this historical residence of the Nehru family was inaugurated as a museum and its currently maintained and funded by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi, which also maintains and funds the Jawahar Planetarium situated in the premises of Anand Bhawan.

The museum possesses more than 40 rooms housing memorabilia of the Nehru family. Amongst the most popular exhibits are Mahatma Gandhi's charkha (spinning wheel) and khadau (wooden sandals). A magnificent buggy at the entrance leads to the official meeting hall of the Indian National Congress, the living room of the Nehru's and a basement with three exits to escape through, in case of raids. This house also witnessed Allahabad’s first car in 1906 and the first electricity generator. The mansion also flaunts a swimming pool and a sauna bath both of which are kept out of bounds to the general public.

The walls of the museum are adorned with photographs of several momentous occasions in India’s history. Popular freedom fighters like Subhash Chandra Bose, Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant and Kamla Nehru feature in these photographs, along with the Nehru family.