As you walk through the grand front gates, the entrance to the now National Maritime Museum, the expansive building stands like a school- white facade with wide front steps and numerous windows symmetrically create a stern line indicating discipline and practicability. Hardly inviting for the visitors who travel from all over the world to explore this famous structure.
Even less inviting when you learn that the purpose of this building has been a hospital for seaman and also the Royal Naval College (the navy’s university) so if the interior reflects the strict exterior this could be a long visit...
As you enter the front desk a very dreary man hands you a leaflet and explains very despondently that not all the spaces have been filled in Lecture rooms 2, 5, and 7. How promising.
Luckily the impression so far proves far from correct. The buildings have been transformed from their hospital and university purposes; to an interactive, contemporary centre which entertains and informs visitors with the different exhibitions from across maritime history.
The Museum buildings have been renovated at various stages with the main galleries receiving modern designs centring on Neptune Court which was completed in 1999 providing the Museum with 12 new galleries. Neptune Court has an Upper Deck with dramatic glass-ceiling gallery situated at its centre. This space exhibits over 400 of the Museum’s gold, silver and brass nautical objects.
The Museum’s modern layout has created interactive exhibits were visitors can learn about British life at sea from the 16th to early 20th centuries. These interactive areas are fun for children and adults with touch screen monitor’s allowing visitor’s to learn about maps of the world, you can also steer a ship into port, glass encased water shows how waves and tides work and you can listen to the story of human exploration as just some of the many activities.
The Toy Boat’s exhibit which runs until May 2011 in collaboration with Museé de la Marine, is about the
beginning of toy boat’s but also model ships. In the 19th century toy boats were created to instruct and educate children about life at sea to prepare them for adult careers. The miniature boats helped with scientific and practical skills. As interest grew about all things maritime with the help of local newspapers, manufactures began creating a range of toys, puzzles and model kits. The exhibit displays early models through to complex mechanical models which used steam, clockwork and electricity.
An exhibition about Lord Nelson (1758–1805) allows visitors to explore the fascinating life and career of Britain’s greatest naval hero. His death at the Battle of Trafalgar made him the epitome of loyalty and duty to his country. Nelson’s life has been documented and commemorated through many artistic depictions of paintings, poetry, songs, and prints. Many of Nelson’s personal belongings are on display including the uniform Nelson was wearing at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Exploring the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich was no dusty strict college building after all.
The authur visited the Greenwich Maritime Museum in October 2010.
by Elyce Nicholls
No comments:
Post a Comment