STEEPED in history, a military museum based within Carlisle Castle for the last 90 years is preparing to celebrate its birthday.
Initially housed in the Keep, Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life is currently located within Alma Block, the old Regimental Institute.
In preparation, the museum has chosen to mark the event with activities and events throughout the 90 days in the run up to its birthday on December 7.
The institution will be launching a ‘Sponsor an Object’ scheme which will run from 90 days before the birthday from September 8 until December 2023, to help the museum raise funds to continue to preserve Cumbria’s military heritage for future generations.
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People will be able to choose one of 90 selected objects held in the museum's history trove.
Museum assistant Matt Lund said: "This is a unique way to celebrate our 90th birthday. It is an opportunity for someone to help the museum by sponsoring an object preserving our military history for future generations."
Other events and activities include a Tuesday talk to be given by Jules Wooding, museum manager on September 13 called ‘An intelligent understanding of its traditions’ – 90 years of a Military Museum in Carlisle Castle which will explore the evolution of the museum from the celebration of regimental traditions to modern-day visitor attraction.
On October 16, the historical venue will host a Veterans' Afternoon tea. The museum group are appealing to local businesses to donate goods, baking and all things afternoon tea related to help support what will be a special occasion amongst Cumbria's veterans.
On December 7 - the day of the anniversary, an open day will be held at the museum in which they are offering a sixpence admission charge reflecting the entrance charge to the Castle in 1932.
Museum manager Jules Wooding said: "Our 90th birthday is an opportunity to highlight our wonderful collections and the stories behind them.
"When the Museum collection was being pulled together in the late 1920s, it contained many items brought back from the First World War. Now our collections reflect the wider history of our local infantry regiment.
"From Culloden to the Crimea, Arnhem to Afghanistan the collections tell the story of soldiers past and present – ordinary people doing extraordinary things."
READ MORE: Cumbrian museum continuing to bring local military history to life
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