National Archives

Interactive experience that brings old archived documents to life

Type

Challenge

The Nationaal Archief wants an exhibition to show visitors that the time, place and circumstances in which you are born affect the opportunities and choices you do or do not have in life. How do you bring historical figures from archival documents to life and make visitors think?

Investigate and discover the personal stories of historical figures.

Solution

IJsfontein, commissioned by the National Archives and in collaboration with exhibition designer Platvorm, has developed the exhibition Wie ben ik, wie was jij? In the exhibition you will learn how people throughout history have made choices in their lives.

This interactive exhibition offers four different programmes that schools can follow with their pupils: Right and Wrong in World War II, From Home and Hearth, Trade and Slavery and Fight for Your Right. All programmes are linked to historical figures and take you on an interactive scavenger hunt.

Impact

Wie ben ik, wie was jij? lets children experience how the time, place and circumstances in which they are born affect their lives. The exhibition has even been nominated for a Museum Educatieprijs.