5th October 1939

Wrote to Maitland [Eric's cousin] today, telling him that this Museum was still at work in spite of the war. From the Museums Journal this month I gather that at least 75% of the museums in this country are shut, and I fear that many of them may never reopen. The hasty packing of exhibits must have resulted in a terrible amount of damage being done.

Many museums had closed at the start of the war to allow staff to pack away precious objects as a precaution against air raids. Despite Eric's fears, however, two-thirds of Britain's museums did reopen during the war and continued to provide a service. For more information on the history of Britain's museums in the Second World War, please see my article here. CP

The 'Museums Journal', is a monthly publication produced by the Museums Association, which is the representative body for museum workers.

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