The Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is inviting the community to share their views to help with planning future exhibitions, talks and other museum activities designed to connect residents and visitors with the borough’s rich heritage.
The popular local history museum, based at Windsor Guildhall, is holding a community engagement day, alongside a public survey, to get a better understanding of people’s wants and needs to inform a tailored museum programme.
The community engagement day, on Sunday 19 March, will be a chance to explore the museum plus the upstairs rooms of Windsor Guildhall. Walk in the footsteps of royalty and learn about the history of this Grade I listed building from knowledgeable guides.
This includes a visit to the room where Their Royal Highnesses, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, were married. This event is free to attend, though must be booked in advance here or by calling the museum during open hours on 01628 685686.
With the event falling on Mothers’ Day, there will also be activity tables where children can design a card or bookmark to give to their loved ones, plus a quiz based on famous mothers associated with the Royal Borough, and the chance to contribute stories to a Mothers’ Day Memory Box.
People attending the event will be able to take part in the survey there, and everyone can contribute online until Friday 7 April, either by visiting here or using the public-access computers at all local libraries. If you require paper copies of the survey form, these are also available from the museum and libraries upon request.
Those who take part will be entered into a prize draw to stand the chance of being randomly selected to win some fabulous prizes, including afternoon tea for two at The Castle Hotel in Windsor, a chocolatier workshop for two at Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory, and gift vouchers for Daniel Department Store.
Councillor Samantha Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Business, Corporate & Residents Services, Culture & Heritage, & Windsor, said: “The mission shared by our fabulous museum staff and volunteers is to connect everyone with our rich local past to better understand the present and inspire all our futures. The museum has an amazing collection of artefacts, from prehistoric to current day.
“A local history museum should reflect our community and that is why we want to gather the opinions of all residents, whether you have visited the museum recently or not, to help shape the museum’s future programme. Attending the event is a great way to reconnect with the museum and our local past while sharing your views.
“People’s insights from the survey will ensure we are creating a museum programme that is tailored to the priorities of our residents, alongside providing excellent facilities and events for both residents and visitors from outside the Royal Borough.
“Which topics do you want to see explored in our exhibitions? What type of talks and activities would be of interest? How can we ensure our online resources most benefit you? These are just a few of the questions we want to know the answers to.”