To mark the centenary of the First World War, an exhibition ‘When War Hit Home: Hull and the First World War’ will open at Ferens Art Gallery on 19 July.
The exhibition explores the effects of the First World War on Hull and its people, using Hull Museums’ extensive collection of objects and images.
Visitors can read personal stories from those who lived through the War, as well as find out about recruitment, life on the front line, the contribution of men, women and children that stayed at home, the war at sea and the role of fishermen and merchant seamen from Hull.
The exhibition looks at the devastating effects of the Zeppelin raids on the city and changes in people’s attitudes towards Hull’s German community. Councillor Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: “The opening of the exhibition forms part of a series of events marking the centenary of World War One; following on from the popular Edwardian Easter weekend and ahead of Remembrance weekend in November.
“It provides an opportunity for people to understand the impact the First World War had on Hull and the people who lived through it one hundred years ago.”
The exhibition includes previously unseen photographs from Hull during the war, some of which will be life-sized and have been digitised in preparation for the exhibition. A number of objects that have been stored for decades have also been conserved and will be displayed for the first time, including an early gas mask, some delicate costume from the era and a Hull and Barnsley roll of honour. Susan Capes, Assistant Curator at Hull Museums said:
“The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to tell the lives of Hull people during the war. Through precious gems held in our collections, the story of the First World War is brought to life”.
There will also be activities for children to try, such as Morse code, and other key objects include:
• Big Lizzie – a steam buzzer which sounded to alert local people to aerial bombing raids in the First and Second World Wars. • A real high explosive Zeppelin bomb which fell on a house in Lister Street.
• Poignant letters belonging to Ada Altoft, who lost her husband and son at sea during the war.
• Precious postcards and souvenirs sent home from the Front Line.
• Our collection of rolls of honours dedicated to the local men who served and died in the war.
• Male and female First World War uniforms.
• Personal accounts left by men, women and children who lived through the war.
Paula Gentil, Curator at Hull Museums said: “Some powerful and poignant personal stories have resulted from our research into the collections at the museums. After an initial enthusiasm for the war, local families underwent an agonising four years of war and, for those that survived, their lives were changed forever. This exhibition really highlights the important contribution Hull men, women and children made.”
The exhibition, in Gallery 4 at Ferens Art Gallery will be open Saturday 19 July 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2014. The exhibition is being launched with a day of free activities, talks and live music from the era at Ferens on Saturday 19 July. Talks will be given by Honorary Alderman John Robinson, Dr. Robb Robinson from the Maritime Historical Studies Centre, the BBC’s Adrian Van Klaveren, Dr. Rosemary Wall and Dr. Nick Evans from the University of Hull, and Arthur Credland who will talk about the Zeppelin raids.
To find out more visit www.heritage-learning.com/get-involved-when-war-hit-home/ The launch has been organised as a collaboration between Hull Museums, Heritage Learning and the University of Hull and is supported by funding from Arts Council England and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
All activities are available on a drop-in basis, however, if you want to guarantee a seat for talks half of the auditorium will be available for pre-booked tickets, free of charge. To book, please contact Hull City Council Box Office on 01482 300 300 or collect tickets from the Tourist Information Centre.
In addition, the BBC World War I road show will be taking place in Queen Victoria Square for the duration of the event. The exhibition and launch event are part of the Arts Council England funded ‘Joining Up’ project bringing together the three museum services which span the Humber region – Hull Museums, East Riding Museums Service and North Lincolnshire Museum Service (www.joiningupthehumber.co.uk).
