A Visit to RAMM

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is Exeter’s largest museum and art gallery.. It’s known that it has a diverse collection, from all different countries and eras, but we went along to see what isn’t quite so well known.

As you enter the building and you’ll be politely greeted by the doormen, and instantly notice how bright and colourful the museum is, alongside the beautiful architecture of the staircase.

The favourite room has to be… the Zoology Room! This includes a taxidermy elephant, tiger and giraffe, and a skeleton of a whale. Underneath each lies mind blowing facts and information about each individual animal. The life size model fascinates children as they are very realistic. Some animals are given names to draw children in, and make their learning experience exciting.

As you explore the museum, as well as the variety of eras and world culture presented throughout, you’ll also see a mixture of religious displays too - the Buddha statue particularly caught our eye. The museum is commendably inclusive, which is really important, especially to younger people, to discourage ignorance and discrimination of other groups and cultures.. Another fascinating cultural part that particularly caught our eye was the Nomads: homes on the move exhibition at RAMM until 6^th October. The exhibition includes a large nomad tent, where people come in and act out what a Nomads life was like!

Progressing around the museum it’s amazing how many activities there are dotted around orientated towards children. Throughout the museum there are interactive screens, with informative videos and activities, which encourage further investigation of the exhibits or the information the exhibits provide. By the Roman mosaics, there’s an exercise where you could design your own mosaic or try follow one of the patterns provided, which encourages learning through play. There is also a dress up station where you could be anything, including a Roman solider if you like! These activities mean you can keep kids learning in an interesting way whilst you absorb the exhibits and detailed descriptions written about each piece.

Furthermore, in most of the museum’s rooms, there are information boards explaining what types of things the room contains and maps that point where the items originated, perfect for anyone with an inquisitive mind or that love geography and history. Additionally, the information boards strengthen investigative skills by providing questions about the exhibits in the room.

A special display was in the Museum, run by two very kind, helpful and knowledgeable volunteers. The display shows four different pieces of bark cloth made from different types of tree bark, giving each one a different texture. They are there to be touched, and they inform you that they used to be made by tribe members to dignify themselves, alongside many more unheard of facts. Additionally, you can ask them any questions about the fabric, which further encourages investigative skills.

Another way the museum encourages inclusivity is through its free entry and café. The entry fee is donation only, which allows all different groups to view the exhibits and learn about world culture and history. The cafe has a wide array of snacks and cakes, with gluten free options.

In conclusion, the RAMM museum is very family orientated but can be enjoyed by all ages, with so many interactive displays encouraging everyone to learn. Also, the wide array of learning opportunities provided throughout means there is literally something for everyone.