Immediate Release
Explore History
From 21 May 2010, admission free
This May IWM London launches Explore History, an innovative project which will see visitors get up
close and personal with the past thanks to improved access to our Collections.
Our chief new feature will be the Explore History Centre, a specially-designed public space where
anyone can drop in for free and immediately access parts of the IWM’s vast collection of digitised photos,
film, sound recordings, documents, art, ephemera and books.
Visitors young and old will be encouraged to take advantage of an easy-to-search web catalogue,
interactive multimedia displays, and the expertise of staff, to discover hidden treasures from IWM’s
archives as well as the personal stories behind them.
Individuals can even pre-book appointments with Museum experts to learn more about objects they’ve
uncovered at home, or to suggest items they wish to donate. There will also be a new Research Room
where up to 35 students, academics and amateur historians can carry out quiet, formal study at desks
and computer terminals.
To whet the appetite of history buffs and beginners alike, a special display will open alongside the new
space. Explore History 1940 marks the 70th anniversary of a year whose momentous events determined
the eventual outcome of the Second World War. The introduction of rationing, Churchill’s rise to power,
the evacuation of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and the Blitz, are all chronicled in this new display which
showcases the breadth, depth and diversity of the Museum’s Collections.
Among the items on display will be icons like the Spitfire, ‘hero’ of the Battle of Britain, and the Tamzine,
one of the famous ‘little ships’ which played such a significant role in Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk.
Joining these symbolic objects will be a series of smaller pieces from the Museum’s archives which reveal
the untold stories behind the well-documented events of 1940.
For example, the family of Pilot Officer Frederick Cecil Harrold, who was killed when his Hurricane was
shot down on 28 September 1940, carefully preserved a remarkable collection of personal belongings
found on him including his pilot ‘wings’, a dented cigarette case and even a bent house-key. Next to that
visitors will find Sapper Alexander Graham King’s accordion which he played on the beaches of Dunkirk in
a bid to boost morale during the evacuation which followed the fall of France.
The display of numerous films, photographs, documents, exhibits and ephemera is accompanied by a
number of multimedia touch-screens where people can delve even further into the human stories
behind each exhibit and event of 1940. Explore History 1940 is designed to show visitors the kind of
hidden ‘gems’ they could uncover themselves in the nearby Explore History Centre.
Di Lees, Director-General of IWM, says:
“IWM tells the story of war and conflict involving Britain and the Commonwealth since 1900, and our
collections within this remit are unrivalled. We’ve always wanted to show the public more of our archives
than is physically possible, so by taking advantage of digital technologies Explore History puts a huge
proportion of our Collections at people’s fingertips. Whether it’s in the Explore History Centre, the
Research Room or Explore History 1940, we hope the new improved enhanced access to intriguing
items and individual stories will enrich people’s understanding of the causes, course and consequences
of modern war.”
Explore History 1940 is open during normal opening hours (Mon-Sun, 10am-6pm) and admission is
free. The Explore History Centre is open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday,
11am-5pm and admission is free. The Research Room is open to the public Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm
and admission is free.
– ENDS –
For further information and images contact:
Ellie Farrell, Senior Press Officer, 020 7416 5497 / [email protected]
Notes to Editors
1940: Britain’s Finest Hour
The momentous events that occurred during 1940 determined the eventual outcome of the Second
World War. It was the year that saw the creation of the Ministry of Food and the instigation of rationing.
Britain’s great wartime leader, Winston Churchill, came to power. Britain’s armed forces endured the fall
of France, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the Battle of Britain, while on the home front, the unrelenting
bombing of the Blitz began to hit many cities and towns across the country.
All branches of the IWM will commemorate the 70th anniversary of this crucial year with a range of special
exhibitions, events and newly arranged exhibits from the IWM’s core collections.
To bring everyone closer to the events of 1940, the IWM has created a dedicated website with
information, images, video and social media feeds relating to all of its anniversary activity. Discover the
full story of Britain’s finest hour, and share your own content, at: iwm.org.uk/1940
IWM London
IWM London is IWM’s flagship branch thanks to the breadth, depth and impact of our exhibits and
displays. We share people’s experiences of war through our First World War and Second World War
galleries, the Holocaust Exhibition, the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, as well as many other displays and
temporary exhibitions. Our family learning sessions and events encourage debate and challenge people’s
perceptions of war.
Open daily from 10am – 6pm except 24, 25 and 26 December. Last admission 5.45pm. IWM London,
Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ. T: 020 7416 5000
IWM
IWM (Imperial War Museums) tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts
involving Britain and the Commonwealth since 1914.
Our unique Collections, made up of the everyday and the exceptional, reveal stories of people, places,
ideas and events. Using these, we tell vivid personal stories and create powerful physical experiences
across our five museums that reflect the realities of war as both a destructive and creative force. We
challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the
causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.
IWM’s five branches are IWM London, with six floors of exhibitions and displays; IWM North, housed in an
iconic award-winning building designed by Daniel Libeskind; IWM Duxford, a world renowned aviation
museum and Britain's best preserved war-time airfield; Churchill War Rooms, housed in Churchill’s
secret headquarters below Whitehall and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.
2014 - 2018 marks the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary for Britain and the world.
IWM will mark the centenary by leading a vibrant, four year programme of cultural activities across the
country, including the opening of brand new First World War galleries at IWM London in 2014. For more
information visit www.1914.org