We Were There at Imperial War Museum North

IWM North - We Were There at Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Manchester, 22–24 October 2019, free entry - Visit now

This October half term, visitors to Imperial War Museum North will have a very special opportunity to meet war veterans and eyewitnesses, including those who lived through the Second World War, the Cold War and the Korean and Falkland Wars.

These ‘meet the veterans’ events are an amazing way to bring history to life for children who are now two or three generations away from these conflicts and might otherwise struggle to connect with the stories the museum tells.

Visitors will hear personal stories of conflict from the veterans, who all have hugely different experiences to share. They are working with the museum as volunteers, kindly recounting tales of their wartime life. They’ll share first-hand insight into the impact war has on people’s lives, from being evacuated during the Second World War, to living through the Korean and Falklands Wars. Children will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about their experiences.

The Imperial War Museum North sits in the family of Imperial War Museums, alongside those in London and Duxford and including the Royal Navy Ship HMS Belfast. It has become one of the north’s most striking landmarks, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict. In the 17 years since the museum opened it has become an iconic feature of Salford’s waterfront. With a permanent collection on display of over 2,0000 objects, cutting edge temporary exhibitions, contemporary art and one-off events the museum aims to explore the human stories of war and the many ways conflict shapes people’s lives.

These family-friendly ‘meet the veterans’ sessions offer an insight into conflict that you won’t find in the history books. In doing so they will hopefully prompt children to want to find out and understand more about the challenges that shape our past, present and future.

This is a free, drop in event – no need to book.