Please note: Due to current circumstances, only the ground floor areas will be accessible from July 13th 2020. The upper floors of the Museum will re-opening in phases over the following weeks. For hygiene purposes, some of our interactive displays will be closed off for the time being. Please keep an eye on our homepage for up-to-date information on reopening.
Films and Interactive Displays
There are various interactives in all galleries and tactile objects too they include:
Ground Floor
•The Time Machine – dressing up clothes for children.
•Sunderland Pottery – an audio track describes the conditions of the pottery workers in Victorian times.
•Secrets of the Past – an audio track describes the burial remains found at Hastings Hill. The gallery includes several items open to touch including a stratigraphy wall showing archaeological finds in layers.
• Coal – subtitled film drama describing the life of children working in the mines during Victorian times.
•Winter Gardens – the pond and stream edgings are highlighted with white strips. A range of plant materials such as fruits and seeds are open to touch on the Treetop Walk. An audio tour for visually impaired visitors is available at reception.
First Floor
• 20th Century Sunderland – soundtracks with subtitles describe the lives of four Sunderland women at different times during the 20th Century.
• Lost Worlds – several fossils are on open display.
•Worlds Alive – there is a film of wild animals with a soundtrack of animal sounds.
Second Floor
•Art Gallery – There is a tactile version of the oil painting Dockside, Sunderland.
Third Floor
• Launched on Wearside – two model ship hulls with Braille labels.
Special Exhibitions, Events and Learning Family Activities
Throughout the year, the Museum holds a wide variety of exhibitions, events and activities. For further information please contact us.