Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum was taken over by students for a day.
Youngsters from The Whitehaven Academy were at the harbourside attraction yesterday as part of the national Kids in Museums Digital Takeover Day – giving young people the opportunity to take over the social accounts of museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites across the UK.
The Whitehaven Academy pupils spent the day exploring all four floors of the museum, discovering ancient artefacts, and donning historic costumes.
The performing arts and creative media students created content for social media, bringing history to life through the museum’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Isabelle Ritson, year nine student at The Whitehaven Academy, said: “It’s been great to be part of helping to promote The Beacon Museum.
“I’ve been coming since I was young, and today has allowed us to use our creative skills through acting and filming content.
“I really feel I’ve become part of the museum.”
Nigel Youngman, headteacher, said: “The Digital Takeover Day captures the essence of what we want to do at the academy.
“It’s fantastic to see the students exploring and discovering their heritage in a new, fresh way. They’ve left truly inspired.”
Alan Gillon, learning officer at The Beacon Museum, said: “It’s been fantastic to share the museum with the incredibly enthusiastic and creative students of The Whitehaven Academy.
“We’re incredibly passionate and dedicated to educating local youngsters about where they came from and it’s been great to merge young and old by showcasing Copeland’s history by utilising modern technology.
“The pupils have really brought history to life and it’s been great to see them enjoying and learning about their heritage, the history and the museum belongs to them, and the people of Copeland, we remind them we’re just here to take care of it.”
