Science museum marks 25th birthday with special event

A science museum is appealing to visitors to share their memories of the attraction for an event to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Bosses at We The Curious, based in Bristol's Millennium Square, hope to create an interactive timeline of its history.

The exhibition will be created by local artists, organisations and members of the public who can supply photographs or other physical memorabilia.

Donna Speed, CEO of the museum, said: "It is literally going to be built by people's experiences, memories and moments in life that we're trying to trigger so that we can demonstrate the connection we have with our community and really celebrate that."

"We The Curious is more than just a building; it's a space that reflects and is shaped by the people who use it and their curiosity, so it's really important that the Curious Timeline is as much about Bristol and its people as it is about us.

"We've already had people say, 'Oh, I had my first date there and then got married under the stars in the Planetarium'."

She added the exhibition is very open to interpretation.

"There's no idea that's been formed for the contributions to fit into; it will be created by the memories and the contributions themselves," she said.

We The Curious - which was previously known as At-Bristol or @Bristol - opened in 2000 as a successor to the Exploratory and was home to the UK's first 3D Planetarium.

The exhibitions are themed into various areas, some of which are permanent, and others change on a regular basis.

Visitors over the 25 years have been able to see a real human brain, make their own animated films, explore a mock television studio or try out a dissection in the Live Lab.

A fire seriously damaged the building in 2022 after a seagull dropped a stone on a solar panel.

The museum remained closed for more than two years and the staff instead took activities into schools and communities across Bristol.

Ms Speed said the process of reopening was "of the most complex and demanding challenges" the museum had faced.

"The support we received from everyone was incredible, and being able to welcome visitors through our doors again has meant the world to us," she added. "Every day we're open feels like something to celebrate."

The museum will also be working alongside the charity Creative Youth Network to create the exhibition, which will go on display later this year.

People who can contribute to the timeline are asked to submit their memories online or in-person. Submissions can be made until the end of August.

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