People’s History Museum (PHM) is planning some Easter holiday’s fun for families, with its brand new Banner Bingo activity. The traditional call for Bingo might be ‘house’, but this Family Friendly version of the game is all about exploring a ‘museum’. And instead of numbers being called out, the focus of the quest is the different images featured in banners found throughout the two main galleries and the new 2022 Banner Exhibition.
There are 26 banners in the exhibition, which are situated amongst the displays in the main galleries that tell the stories of those in the past and present who have fought for rights and representation. The banners themselves with their bright colours and strong designs aren’t hard to spot, but it will take the eagle-eyed to identify the different Banner Bingo images; the world, a skeleton, the peace sign and a lion are just some of the objects included. Complete a line and shout out ‘bingo’, fill the complete card and declare ‘house’.
And when you’ve finished the game, you could visit Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar for a ‘cup of tea’ (number 3 in bingo lingo) or head to ‘top of the shop’ (otherwise known as number 90) for some inspiration of the retail variety in PHM shop.
Visitors can collect their Banner Bingo card from the Info Desk when they arrive at People’s History Museum from one of the Visitor Experience team and for everyone that takes part this is also where they can collect a small prize at the end. There are two versions depending on the challenge you are looking for, and with younger visitors also in mind. This is a free activity that forms part of the Family Friendly experience at People’s History Museum; interactives from video games to dress up, and a Passport Trail are all part of a visit.
All the banners featured in the exhibition are focused around groundbreaking moments of protest; some have been on marches and some have been created to remember famous protests or rights still being fought for. They are hung besides some of the treasures in PHM’s banner collection that are on permanent display, including the 200 year old Tin Plate Workers Society banner; the oldest in what is recognised as the world’s largest collection of political and trade union banners in the world. From the historical to the contemporary banners take you on a powerful journey, with lots to see and be inspired by.
