New technology and never-before-seen artefacts are helping Salford’s Imperial War Museum to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One in a new exhibition.
‘From Street to Trench: A World War That Shaped A Region’ will run from April 5 to May 31 and will feature interactive exhibitions, powered by soundscape technology, as well as items which will be on display for the first time to commemorate a century since hostilities began in the First World War.
Exhibition researcher Charlotte Czyzk is particularly excited by tomorrow’s launch and hopes it will help all members of the family connect with the global conflict.
“We hope the exhibitions will bring the history of the war to life thanks to the soundscape technology,” she said.
“The toys and games on offer as well will hopefully allow the whole family to take part in the exhibition.”
A computer kiosk will allows families to work out what job they would be doing during the war, while a mock Stockport Market from 1914 will allow visitors to follow the story of men from the Manchester streets to the Western Front.
Along with the family interactive exhibits there will be some never-before-seen items which are on loan from local families for the first time.
One of the items included is a letter from former Prime Minister Clement Atlee – then a member of the South Lancashire Regiment – to his family back in Britain.
However, Charlotte believes a letter written by a Manchester soldier will be the piece which will provoke the most emotion from visitors.
“It’s quite sweet really, it was written by a man called Frank and it is him apologising to his mother for running away to go off and fight,” she added.
“However, it turned out that Frank died in France a year after the letter was written so it’s a very emotional piece.”
These particular pieces are just a couple out of the 200 which will be on display making it the largest exhibition ever created exploring the lives and experiences of people from the North West during the First World War.
Museum director Graham Boxer hopes it will highlight the poignancy and courage seen during the first global conflict.
He said: “Even a century later there are stories untold, experiences undiscovered and tales that will surprise.”
The exhibition is free with many more untold human stories and more information can be found on the museum’s website.
Images courtesy of Matt Brown with thanks
