Missing Museums
The Imperial War Museums have launched a social media campaign for people to express how much they missed military history venues as museums re-open across the UK
In the weeks leading up to the reopening of museums and galleries, the Imperial
War (IWM) have launched #Missingmuseums, a social media campaign that asks what museum-goers have missed the most while doors to the UK’S best-loved cultural sites have remained shut.
From the sound of the Spitfire to seeing great works of art, the campaign, which launched on 1 April 2021, shines a light on visitors’ most memorable museum moments through a series of photographs and stories shared across IWM’S social media channels. Using the hashtag #Missingmuseums,
IWM is now encouraging other cultural organisations and influential figures to get involved as the country prepares for its favourite sites to reopen again this spring.
The campaign aims to build excitement for the UK’S museum sector. From 19 May 2021, visitors will be welcomed back to IWM London, IWM North, Churchill War Rooms and IWM Duxford, whose grounds have already been open to visitors since 12 April 2021. HMS Belfast will reopen in July 2021 following major redevelopments.
Across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, visitors and staff looking forward to 19 May have shared their excitement at being able to enjoy the things they have missed during closure. This includes seeing their favourite exhibits, learning something new and feeling a bit of normality return to everyday life. For example, IWM staff member Poppy has spoken of what it feels like to return to work: “Getting back to the museum made me feel like a bit of normality had ever so slightly returned! Having worked on its communications for so long, I felt a sense of relief that Ai Weiwei’s [artwork exhibition] History of Bombs was finally being engaged with as the artist intended. No one wants a world-class artwork like that to go unseen!”
Visitors have a variety of things they remember. One of the most memorable moments for Callum was “discussing the history of tanks and armoured warfare and First World War exhibits with friends at IWM London”. Meanwhile, Fran recalls visiting IWM Duxford for the 75th anniversary of D-day: “It was a day I shall never forget. It made me immensely humble and proud because without these men we wouldn’t have our freedom today.”
Pete Austin, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications at IWM, says: “For museum-lovers everywhere, this year has certainly been one that we won’t forget. Doors have been closed on an unprecedented scale, but with the approach of May our favourite spaces are about to reopen again. We can’t wait to welcome our visitors back to IWM from 19 May. However, in the meantime, let’s get excited, show some love for all museums across the country, and share what you’ve missed the most.” If you’d like to get involved, post your photo on social media using #Missingmuseums and tag the IWM so they can see what you’re missing and how it made you feel.
For more information about #Missingmuseums visit: www.iwm.org.uk/visits/missing-museums Facebook: @Iwmlondon, @Iwmnorth, @Iwmduxford, @Churchillwarrooms and @HMS Belfast. Twitter: @I_W_M, @Iwmduxford, @Iwmnorth Instagram: @imperialwarmuseums