The Third Battle of Ypres, famously known as Passchendaele, was the most notorious of 5 battles. And since 2004, the Passchendaele Museum has been telling its story.
Towards the latter end of 2019, Brighton Hill School from Basingstoke embarked on a history trip to Belgium, and made sure the Memorial Museum of Passchendaele was on their list of places to go. Accompanied by Rayburn Tours Representative, Sophie, and two expert History Tour Guides, the group spent 2 hours wandering through the museum, where vivid displays and interactive elements brought the battle and World War I to life.
Here’s why the Passchendaele Museum should be at the top of your list for educating students about the First World War.
What is the Battle of Passchendaele?
Infamous for being one of the most horrific encounters of the First World War, with over half a million fatalities, the Battle of Passchendaele was known for its bloody combats and treacherous mud surroundings. Taking place over a 3-month period in 1917, the Third Battle of Ypres was renowned for being the most significant in World War I history.
What’s pivotal about the Passchendaele Museum?
When it comes to museums, Passchendaele is an awe-inspiring experience, ensuring students are engaged with the historical rudiments of the First World War. A varied combination of interactive stations, with audio guides provided throughout the journey, lets students envisage life at the most precarious moments of the war. Most importantly, it gets them involved.
Combined with an informative oversight of the Five Battles of Ypres, with a primary focus on the Battle of Passchendaele, you can visit a German trench and a 20 foot-deep British dugout, which consists of dressing and communication posts, headquarters and accommodation quarters.
The interactive elements not to be missed:
- Gas smelling replicas: enables you to experience the smell of gas during the war
- Holding real life rifles: a chance to pick up the weapons used in the battle
- German and British trench replicas: walk through replicas of real life trenches from World War I
- British dugout experience: experience of how the Britons lived during that period
- Morse code understanding: get to grips with the fundamentals of using Morse code in the war
Experience it for yourself…
What are the educational benefits?
Providing a rich representation of World War I, with visual displays including authentic photographic material, historical artefacts and dioramas, this remarkable experience is an engaging way to learn about the Five Battles of Ypres – something that the students, as well as the teachers, enjoyed. As explained by Sophie:
“From start to finish, Passchendaele has everything you need to immerse yourself in WWI history. From interactive displays inside and tunnels underneath the museum, to full weapon displays and life-like trenches – Passchendaele really has it all!”
Sophie Lamb
In a few words…
The Passchendaele Museum is a window into the realities of World War I, using interactive, hands-on elements that actually hold students’ attention, and ensures they fully understand and appreciate what’s in front of them.
Why not complete your trip with a History Tour Guide?
Thinking of arranging a trip for your group to visit the Passchendaele Museum? A History Tour Guide will provide extensive knowledge of your destination, giving you an in-depth understanding of your particular period of history.
From using real-life accounts to keep students gripped, to helping with the logistics, they’ll add real value to your history trip.
Here’s how a History Tour Guide can make all the difference to your trip:
- They’ll tailor their teaching to suit your students’ educational needs
- They’ve done prior research on your group, so they’ll try to make the experience personal to your group wherever they can
- They can be flexible with your itinerary to suit your curricular needs
- Where possible, they’ll call on their contacts to help you get the most at every site
Find out how we can tailor a history trip to suit your students’ needs…