Tenth birthday of Falmouth's Maritime Museum
11:44am Monday 4th March 2013 in Falmouth/Penryn
Museum volunteers celebrate 10th birthday
With only a week to go before the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth celebrates its tenth birthday, some of the amazing statistics generated over the past decade have been revealed.
The museum has welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors, had an estimated economic impact locally of £4.7m per year and seen 300,000 volunteer man hours delivered by its dedicated team. More than 200 couples have exchange wedding vows and the education team has delivered workshops to 50,000 school children, 200,000 families and 10,000 adult learners.
On a lighter note, 12,000 pirate hats have been made by children, 67,000 scones have been baked and 259,000 lunches have been served in the waterside cafe.
For stories of the museum's development over the past decade visit thepacket.co.uk.
It was on March 14, 2003 that the museum was officially opened by the Duke of York, one of many royals to have given the attraction their vote of approval over the past decade. Since then it has become an integral part of the town with 60 per cent of its visitors claiming they only came to Falmouth to visit the museum.
Jonathan Griffin, the museum's director, said: “As the Museum has grown up, so has Events Square and Discovery Quay, offering a new heart to Falmouth and completing a regenerative transformation of this part of the waterfront.
“I look back and reflect on the incredible moments that we have been part of; Tall Ship festivals, Antiques Roadshow, Ellen MacArthur's record breaking challenge, working with household names and the not so famous all who have achieved so much, honouring our polar pioneers with exhibitions on Shackleton and Scott, preserving our lighthouse, surfing and rescue services heritage, screaming at Ben Ainslie on the museum's cinema screen as we watched him win gold at the London 2012 games.
“We pride ourselves on doing more with very little, thinking differently and working with others to create partnerships for the common good. There have been far too many wonderful moments to recount them all and too many people locally and further afield to thank. We are grateful to everyone for helping us grow up, for being part of our development and we look forward to delivering more for our visitors and playing a part in Falmouth's future in the decades to come.”
In celebration of its tenth birthday, the museum has sponsored Falmouth's Spring Festival, is showcasing some of its “best bits” from the past decade, holding Easter workshops of its top ten “make and takes,” hosting a birthday party for 100 school children and offering special birthday stickers and balloons to small and big children throughout 2013.
Read more about the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Museum to host schoolkids decorating the town
