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Outbreak of WWII Evacuation of objects from British Museum
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Outbreak of WWII Evacuation of objects from British Museum
Trucks and carriages outside the British Museum as delicate objects were removed and taken to safety after the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. Date: 1939
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Media ID 23144518
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Apr19 Evacuation Exhibits Precaution Precautions Precious Preparations Protection Removal
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the sense of urgency and uncertainty that gripped Europe as war loomed on the horizon in September 1939. The image shows the exterior of the British Museum in London, with trucks and carriages lined up outside, ready to transport precious objects to safety. The outbreak of World War II had caught the world by surprise, and museums and cultural institutions across Europe were faced with the daunting task of protecting their invaluable collections from the ravages of war. The British Museum, one of the world's greatest repositories of human history, was no exception. In the days following the declaration of war, museum staff worked around the clock to identify and pack the most fragile and valuable objects, carefully wrapping them in protective materials and loading them onto trucks and carriages for transport to secure storage sites. The process was a painstaking one, requiring great care and attention to detail to ensure that each object was handled with the utmost care and respect. The evacuation of the British Museum's collections was just one of many precautions taken to protect the institution's treasures. Other measures included the installation of sandbags and other protective barriers around the building, as well as the removal of valuable works of art from public display. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which museums and cultural institutions went to preserve their collections during the chaos and uncertainty of wartime. It also underscores the importance of cultural heritage and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the past and our connection to the world around us.
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