BES 7: Remembrance

BES

Assignment 7

Remembrance: the Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum is located in the quaint area of London known as Lambeth. The Museum is very unique as it features a wide range of conflicts, particularly those involving Britain and the commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. The museum was very interesting and severed as a way to understand the history of modern war and “wartime experience.” I was particularly interested in going to the Imperial War Museum because both of my grandfathers served for the United States during World War II. At the end of my time here in London my grandparents are coming to visit. I can’t wait to take my grandpa to the museum I think that both him and my grandma will really enjoy it.

The museum is surrounded by a beautiful park. The park was full of many people reading and enjoying the weather. The park was also surrounded by trees and flowers. Displayed outside front of the museum were cannons. It was hard to imagine that it was actually used in a war due to the size of it. As we walked into the museum off to the right was a very small September 11^th memorial. In the opening entrance of the museum there were several plans and other War machinery that operated during the wars. While at the museum Lindsey and I took part in did both the Blitz and Trench experiences. The trench experience was a simulation that depicted the environment of a WWI foot soldier in the trenches of France. The Blitz experience re enacted the inside of an East End London bomb shelter during WWII. My favorite exhibition at the Imperial War Museum was the Holocaust exhibit. This is an area in history that has always held my interest. It was so unreal that such an event actual took place and plays an important role in history. It took us a total of two and a half hours to make our way through the exhibition and that was without viewing everything. I read, watched, and looked at as many displays as I possibly could. It was so sad to see how many people were persecuted due to their religion and what turned into the persecution based on much more. After touring the exhibition not only was I physically drained, but emotionally as well. I was glad that we chose to view the Holocaust exhibit last, after touring it I had no energy left to look at anything else.

After touring parts of the museum I now have a better understanding of the role Britain played in the wars. It was interesting to see another countries perspective. Before I had only viewed and learned about wars from the perspective of the United States. Overall I enjoyed my visit to the museum and would have to say surprisingly has been one of my favorites.