Million-pound mission to revamp World War Two museum
Northern Ireland’s only dedicated Second World War museum is on a million-pound mission to massively expand its exhibition – taking in tales from west of the Bann to represent the province’s entire wartime story.
News of the revamp broke on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the final air raids of the Belfast Blitz, with the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum announcing it also wants to bring in items relating to international forces stationed in Ulster, such as Canadian and Belgian forces.
The organisation has secured initial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its new project, called ‘Home Front Museum: Northern Ireland 1939-1945’.
Officials want to redevelop their facility on Belfast’s Talbot Street to make it a more accessible and engaging space for visitors to explore the story of Northern Ireland’s key role in the Second World War.
The plan is to use initial development funding of almost £80,000 to progress the idea before securing a later grand of close to £890,000 – meaning almost £1m of grant cash will be going into the overhaul in total
The redesigned exhibition, state officials, will boast “the latest museum-standard equipment and technology, ensuring that Northern Ireland’s wartime heritage continues to be properly interpreted and conserved for the benefit of future generations”
Over the 19 years since it first opened, the museum’s collection has grown to 7,000 artefacts, though only a fraction can be displayed in its current gallery.
Officials want to expand, gathering in more objects from around Ulster and increasing its oral history selection, which so far features over 400 interviews with people sharing their experiences of the Second World War – something that’s particularly important as the passage of time gradually moves the conflict from living memory.
The new project will see the museum rework its entrance and toilet facilities to make them more accessible; invite people to give their input into the redesign of the Home Front exhibition, ensuring that it reflects the full local experience of the Second World War; bring on more staff to carry out oral history interviews, and boost outreach as part of its popular education programme.
Officials also hope to run a community archaeology project at a wartime defence heritage site.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland War Memorial, Don Bigger, said the vision is to be an engaging and welcoming museum that provides a window on Northern Ireland’s key role in the Second World War, and the impact of the war on its people”.
He stated: “A new exhibition will use our collection to tell the human stories that are at the heart of our commemorations this year for the 85th anniversary of the Belfast Blitz.
“The museum gallery will be redesigned in line with environmental best practice, and the project will strengthen the organisation’s sustainability by allowing us to connect in new and innovative ways with our audiences from across Northern Ireland and further afield.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Northern Ireland director, Paul Mullan, said the museum’s plans will boost its ability “to engage the community and expand its education and outreach activity to reach new audiences.”