Portsmouth Historic Dockyard celebrates the legacy of ‘people’ during
‘People’ are to be the focus of attention at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in support of the national initiative Museum and Galleries Month taking place from 1st May – 31st May with a theme of People: Who are we?Visitors will have the opportunity to meet a host of interesting people with fascinating tales to tell and experiences to share, including life as a Tudor, working on board Warrior today and serving in the Falklands Conflict.
Museums and Galleries Month is a national initiative that aims to encourage people to visit their local museums and galleries. It was first held in 2000 and each year Portsmouth Historic Dockyard join museums, galleries and arts organisations throughout the UK in supporting the scheme.
The Royal Naval Museum will be hosting a series of informal talks with naval veterans – the people from the Falklands conflict at Task Force South: Meet the People Talks. Every Wednesday during May visitors can reflect upon the 25th anniversary of the conflict by listening to the experiences of those who served during this time, within the fitting backdrop of the Museum’s new exhibition, Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War. Numbers for the talks are limited and visitors should book in advance by contacting the Royal Naval Museum on 023 927 27582.
The Royal Naval Museum is marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade with an exhibition, Chasing Freedom: The Royal Navy and the Suppression of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Through moving accounts written by the people serving in the Africa Squadron, the exhibition illustrates very personal experiences and the human stories behind the slave trade and its suppression. The exhibition draws on documents such as diaries kept by Midshipman CH Binstead who, in 1823-1824 was 27 and serving on HMD Owen Glendower, the flagship of the squadron. The exhibition is open daily from 10am – 4.30pm until 27th January 2008.
HMS Warrior 1860 is offering a rare opportunity to meet the people on board and discover the vital work they do to preserve and run a ship of this size and magnitude. The staff and volunteers will be available throughout May from 10am – 4.30pm. Warrior will also be celebrating its 20th anniversary of the return to Portsmouth after restoration and visitors are invited to contribute their memories of that day. They would love to hear from anyone who remembers the ship leaving Hartlepool or arriving in Portsmouth or those who remember her even before restoration. Each entry will be displayed in the Warrior’s Story Chest from 4th – 7th May. To contribute your memories, post to BDM, HMS Warrior 1860, Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, PO1 3QX, email info@warrior.org or leave your entry in the story chest provided.
Visitors to the Mary Rose Museum will have the opportunity to meet some Tudor people, including an archer, a gunner and a housewife. Each will provide an insight into their life and how it compares to life today. They will be appearing in the museum at 3.15pm each day throughout May.
To take part in the Museum and Galleries Month activities, visitors are required to purchase an attraction ticket. This applies to the Mary Rose Museum and Ship Hall, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations, with the exception of the Task Force South: Meet the People Talks, which need to be booked in advance. Prices for all inclusive tickets, which give one entry to all the attractions, start at £16.00 (adult); £13.00 children (5-15 years) and over 60s; £46.00 family (up to 5 members of the same family, max 2 adults/seniors). Visitors are welcome to visit the shops, art gallery, restaurants and coffee shops without charge.
