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A Fascinating Journey Through History: Year 5’s Trip to Milestones Museum

Last Friday, our Year 5 students had an unforgettable trip to the Milestone Museum in Basingstoke, where they stepped back in time to experience history up close. The Milestone Museum is a living history museum that provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore different periods of the past, with a wide variety of exhibits showcasing life from the Victorian era to World War II. Here’s a glimpse into what the students experienced during their exciting day at the museum.

Exploring the Past: Victorian Life at Milestones Museum

Upon arrival, Year 5 was given the opportunity to explore the museum in small groups, which allowed them to immerse themselves in the rich history of the exhibits. The museum’s collection includes several fascinating Victorian-era displays, such as:

• Victorian Railway Station: Based on the GWR station at Winchester, this exhibit features a 4mm scale model of the station with operating trains, offering a glimpse into the transport systems of the past.
• Victorian Shops and Homes: Students wandered through a Victorian ironmonger, a watchmaker and jeweller, a terraced house, a milliner’s shop, a light engineering workshop, a paintworks powered by a Tasker stationary steam engine, a sawmill, a saddlery, and even a Victorian pier amusement arcade.
• Vintage Motor Vehicles: The museum also boasts an impressive collection of vintage motor vehicles, giving students an insight into the evolution of transportation.

These exhibits allowed Year 5 to witness firsthand the tools, skills, and daily life of the Victorian period, creating a vivid picture of history.

Immersive Workshops: Life During WWII

The excitement continued with a series of workshops that allowed students to dive deeper into life during World War II. The first session focused on rationing—one of the key challenges of the time. Students learned what food and goods were rationed, why this was necessary, and how families adapted to the shortage through tips and tricks, including the concept of “Mend and Make Do.”

The children also explored the pioneering medical care developed by Harold Gillies, which helped treat people who had suffered severe injuries during the war. They had the chance to learn essential nursing skills, including how to properly put a sling on a patient—an experience that provided valuable insight into the challenges faced by medical professionals during the war.

A Look at the Blitz and the ARP

After lunch, it was time to dive deeper into the experience of the Blitz, the devastating bombing campaign of World War II. Students were introduced to the role of the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) personnel—individuals responsible for protecting civilians during air raids. They learned about the difficulties these brave people faced in keeping their communities safe during such perilous times.

One of the highlights of this session was the chance for students to participate in some fun yet educational WWII quizzes. They tested their knowledge by identifying aircraft and even tried to spot a spy—an activity that got everyone thinking critically about the war.

A standout experience was the opportunity to see a real Anderson Air Raid Shelter up close, where the children could learn what it felt like to take cover during an air raid. To make it even more realistic, they were given the chance to try on authentic gas masks, further immersing them in the wartime experience.

A Day to Remember

The trip to the Milestone Museum was an incredible experience for our Year 5 students, providing them with valuable lessons about history. From exploring Victorian life to learning about the resilience and ingenuity of people during WWII, the day was packed with interactive, hands-on experiences that will stay with the students for years to come.

We would like to extend our thanks to the amazing museum staff for making us feel so welcome and for sharing such an amazing insight into history. Their enthusiasm and expertise truly brought the past to life, making it a day our pupils will never forget.