National Science And Media Museum Celebrates 40th Anniversary With New Film

Image courtesy of the Science Museum Group

The National Science and Media Museum celebrates its 40^th birthday on 16 June with a new short film, showcasing favourite memories from the last four decades and looking towards the future.  

In the film, visitors, friends, staff and community members take a trip down memory lane, sharing their favourite moments at the museum, beloved objects and what the museum means to them, along with what the next 40 years might look like. From fond memories of first trips to the museum as children, to favourite objects and moments, the film reflects on the importance of the museum and its impact on people’s lives over the last four decades. 

Opened on 16 June 1983 as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, the museum has welcomed millions of visitors, telling the story of sound and image technologies, and their impact on our lives. From the world’s first photograph to Louis Le Prince’s ground-breaking work in film, as well as the cameras that captured the famous Cottingley Fairies photographs, and the millions of images from the Daily Herald Archive, once the world’s top selling newspaper, the museum tells the story of countless pioneering firsts. 

The museum is also home to three cinema screens, including Europe’s first IMAX which also opened in 1983. To Fly! a documentary made about the history of flight was the first film ever screened in the museum’s IMAX, and was the only film shown for 15 months.  

Memorable moments from the museum’s history include the iconic magic carpet; Pierce Brosnan flying in via helicopter to reopen the museum following a refurb in 1999; the launch of the first ever live broadcasting studio in a museum; Tim Peake’s spacecraft in the foyer, plus many more.  

Commenting on the monumental occasion, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “This year marks a special anniversary for us as the museum celebrates its 40^th birthday in June, and it feels especially fitting as we enter an exciting new phase. Our new film not only celebrates and reflects on the last four decades, but also looks ahead to the future and the exciting things to come. The opening of our new Sound and Vision galleries will be truly transformational, and we hope to continue to inspire our next generation of visitors from Bradford and beyond.”  

The museum is currently temporarily closed to the public until summer 2024 as it undergoes a £6m once-in-a-generation transformation. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and money raised by National Lottery players, the major Sound and Vision project will create two new galleries, an additional passenger lift and an enhanced foyer space. In addition to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also has support from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2022-24, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and the Science Museum Group, which the National Science and Media Museum is a part of.  

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “We wish the National Science and Media Museum many happy returns as they celebrate their 40^th birthday. We are delighted that we have been able to work with this museum over the years, investing over £14m of National Lottery Funding to support exciting heritage projects, that have created lots of wonderful memories for visitors the world over.  

We are also thrilled to be supporting the museum’s journey beyond this momentous milestone and look forward to seeing the new Sound and Vision galleries, which are sure to provide inspiration or years to come.” 

For more information about the museum’s 40^th birthday celebration and to watch the new film, visit: https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/happy-birthday-life-begins-at-40/  

To send the museum a birthday gift, donate here: https://bit.ly/3WV8M4v  

The National Science and Media Museum is now temporarily closed to the public until summer 2024 to undergo major refurbishment. Pictureville Cinema and Bar will remain open 7 days a week.