Historian Dan Snow will lecture at Merseyside Maritime Museum next month as part of Battle of the Atlantic commemorations.
The TV presenter will talk about Liverpool’s pivotal role in the campaign at sea with a free lecture on Saturday 25 May from 2-3pm.
Mr Snow has appeared in many popular history-related programmes for the BBC and is the “History Hunter” for The One Show. His talk will take place in the theatre on the fourth floor of the museum.
The event is free. Details about how to book will be announced shortly on www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/riverfestival
Liverpool is gearing up for a massive four-day commemoration of Battle of the Atlantic from 24 –28 May. Around 25 warships will arrive in the city from countries around the globe including Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia and USA.
Activities will take place at the waterfront and city centre including a cathedral service, veterans parade, a special band concert by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines at the Philharmonic Hall, a 40s themed party at St George’s Hall, a fly past and a James Bond-style display involving the Royal Marines. The Museum’s very own Brocklebank tugboat will also play a part in the event.
Merseyside Maritime Museum has a gallery dedicated to the Battle of the Atlantic which tells the story of the longest and one of the most crucial campaigns of the Second World War. Visitors can discover the vital role played by the Merchant Navy in keeping Britain alive in those dark days.
Ian Murphy, Deputy Director, Merseyside Maritime Museum, said: “This should be a very special weekend not just for the city but for the nation. Liverpool’s story is central to the Battle of the Atlantic story.
“Liverpool was Britain’s most important wartime port and so many Liverpool families were involved. We are thrilled that Dan Snow is visiting and we have a host of activities at the Museum for all the family during this weekend that’s not to be missed.”
Writing in a special blog published today on the Museum’s website Dan Snow said: “It is extremely exciting to be coming to Liverpool to mark the official anniversary of a desperate and hugely important battle that raged from the first day of the war to the last. The Battle of the Atlantic was nothing less than a long running attritional struggle for national survival.”
See his post in full at: http://blog.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/DanSnowToLeadBattleOfTheAtlanticEvents.aspx
During the weekend dozens of other events will also be taking place at Merseyside Maritime Museum, Museum of Liverpool, International Slavery Museum and Piermaster’s House on Albert Dock. See www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/riverfestival for details.
Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration weekend at Merseyside Maritime Museum:
25-27 May 2013, 1-4pm. Join us at the Maritime Museum as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic – a vitally important part of Liverpool’s past. This family friendly event includes talks, role-play and craft activities for all the family.
25 May 2013, 10.30am-4.30pm. Maritime Archives event: Did your grandfather serve in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War? Maritime archives staff will show you how to find out more in a special session looking at tracing seafaring ancestors. There will also be opportunity to see rare photos and documents from the Battle of the Atlantic. Drop-in, no booking required.
25 May 2-3pm. TV presenter Dan Snow lecture about Liverpool’s pivotal role in the campaign at sea during a free lecture on Saturday 25 May from 2-3pm. Visitors can drop in on the day, no need to book.
