Museums right on the money!

Monday 27 October 2014

Two Jersey museums have beat off competition from hundreds of visitor attractions around the UK and picked up national awards for they way they are bringing the Island’s history to life.

The Jersey Museum, Art Gallery & Merchant House and the Maritime Museum & Occupation Tapestry Gallery have both been given a Visit England Best Told Story Accolade.

The sites were up against over 800 UK attractions and were amongst just 14 to be recognised along with the refurbished Cutty Sark, the National Space Centre and the Museum of London.

Director of Jersey Heritage Jonathan Carter said: “We are really proud to have been recognised in this way. Great lifelong learning experiences are at the heart of our work. Our museums are amongst the most innovative in the UK and recent support from the States and the community has enabled us to keep changing. This investment in quality has been a virtuous circle helping us build support amongst 10,000 members, generate more income and consequently look to extend our opening times, as recently reported.”

Jersey Heritage and Education, Sport and Culture have recently invested in new exhibits at both museums including the Story of Jersey film told by Islanders, the new audio visual story presentations of The Merchant House at No. 9 Pier Road and the living exhibition for the Celtic Coin Hoard that was discovered in 2012.

Islanders have helped make a knitted and crocheted underwater reef at the Maritime Museum and artists have been busy exploring local maritime cuisine and beach life.

Director of Education, Sport & Culture Justin Donovan said: "The Jersey Museum and the Maritime Museum are excellent examples of how museums can bring culture and heritage to life in a modern, relevant way. Sharing history is important for helping people build a sense of community and identity. Using story-telling is the perfect way to achieve this because it engages visitors as well as local residents and particularly appeals to our young people. We are delighted that ESC’s support for Jersey Heritage has helped them to win national recognition. It is well deserved.”

All six Jersey Heritage sites were given accreditation under the national Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme.