National Museums Liverpool (NML) has released a new video to celebrate 40 years since becoming England’s first national museum group outside of London.
Spanning four decades, the video offers a fun, nostalgic look at moments from National Museums Liverpool’s history, from the 80s up to the present day.
The video celebrates moments including the opening of the Merseyside Maritime Museum at Liverpool’s now iconic Albert Dock, as well as a transformative ‘Into the Future’ funding appeal that led to the opening of the vitally important Transatlantic Slavery Gallery.
It pokes fun at some of the more far-fetched ideas, such as calling Lady Lever Art Gallery ‘The Taj Mahal of Merseyside’, failed PR stunts and a long-standing confusion over venue names.
Concluding by looking to the future – the video also shines a light on the next 40 years and National Museums Liverpool’s bold plans to transform Liverpool’s waterfront.
Its release coincides with the opening of the new exhibition National Museums Liverpool at 40, which opens to the public from 3 April. The exhibition focuses on objects from the diverse, powerful and important museum and galleries collection that the organisation is responsible for.
From something as simple as a front door, to artistic masterpieces, the free exhibition highlights the vast range of objects cared for by National Museums Liverpool and the stories they have to tell. The exhibition also includes some never before showcased objects from National Museums Liverpool’s collection.
Joe Brook, head of audiences and media at National Museums Liverpool, said: “Marking 40 years of National Museums Liverpool provides us with an opportunity to look back on highlights of the past four decades, and celebrate our city’s huge impact on UK and international culture.
“It is also an opportunity to look forward to the future. To think about the purpose and role of museums and galleries in not just telling stories of the past but shaping how we continue to change lives in the future.”
National Museums Liverpool: The Story So Far is available to watch on National Museums Liverpool’s YouTube channel.