The National Civil War Centre in Newark has won Best Small Museum at the prestigious Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards 2024.
Learning and Participation Manager Denise Greany, along with Learning and Participation Officers Donna Hall and Lucy Armstrong, were presented with the award at a ceremony held at Craven Museum in Skipton, last year’s overall winner, on Tuesday 8 October.
Run by charity Kids in Museums and made possible by funding from Arts Council England, the national award celebrates museums, galleries, historic homes or heritage sites in the UK that go the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.
Since it launched in 2004, the award has become a benchmark for excellence in the heritage sector. Each year, Kids in Museums receives hundreds of public nominations, which are whittled down to a shortlist by an expert panel. The final say goes to families, who visit each shortlisted museum over the summer holidays, and decide the winners.
Competing against four other museums in the Best Small Museum category, the National Civil War Centre clinched the win with family judges remarking on the Centre’s wide range of interactive activities that engaged children of different ages, including dressing up, board games, and tech-based exhibits.
The Playhem summer activities featuring large building blocks to play with were a favourite among younger children. Parents also valued the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff, with children encouraged to freely explore without needing to stay quiet.
One family judge said: “We visit a lot of museums as a family, and out of everywhere, this has had the most activities that my five-year-old has proactively engaged with… we easily spent two and a half hours there.”
Another said: “We would definitely return as a family and take part in other special events which all sounded interesting and engaging… plenty for children to do, including games, activities, trails, dressing up… the icing on the cake for my child were the Playhem blocks, which were an inspired idea.”
The National Civil War Centre now offers free entry to local residents in Newark and Sherwood and hosts a huge variety of events throughout the year. Next on the calendar is November’s Family Saturday which will offer visitors the chance to make their own spooky shadow puppets and magic wand.
On Saturday 2nd November, families can join in with these dark arts-themed crafts and enjoy gallery tours inspired by 17th century beliefs about magic
Carys Coulton-Jones, Business Manager for Heritage and Culture at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Myself and the rest of my team want to send a huge thank you to the families who nominated us and chose us as the winners as well as every family who has visited the Centre this year to enjoy Playhem in summer, our Family Saturdays every month, our regular Thursday Mini Museum sessions, all of our other events and just to explore, learn and play in our galleries.
“I am enormously proud of the passion and creativity of our team who continue to excel, offering fun and fascination to visitors of every age and ability. They regularly astound me with their ability to make every subject accessible, interesting and engaging for everyone and I’m so happy that this has been recognised on a national level with such a meaningful award.”
Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at the District Council, said: “Making history and culture accessible and even playful is so important. The National Civil War Centre welcomes families and children through their doors at a young age, ensuring that they see the Centre as a safe place for fun and creativity.
“I am very proud that this award-winning team are breaking down the barriers that prevent many people from stepping into museums because of memories and experiences they had of unfriendly places as a child. Our museum is welcoming and friendly which sets up the best possible relationship for lifelong enjoyment and involvement in culture, heritage, and art.
“I’m delighted to hear that their wonderful work has been rewarded and encourage any local families who haven’t yet visited to come along and find out why.”
The other winners at the Family Friendly Museum Awards 2024, were the Young V&A, London for Best Large Museum and Overall Winner; the Turner Contemporary in Margate for Best Medium Museum; The Cooper Gallery, Barnsley for Best Accessible Museum; and Tees Valley Museums for Best Museum Youth Group.
