At the back of Store 3, volunteers are running a discovery station featuring typewriters and optical objects. Visitors of all ages stop to try the machines, ask questions and share memories. Older visitors often talk about learning to type or using similar objects at work, while younger visitors encounter them for the first time.
What makes these interactions work is the volunteers themselves. They bring a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, along with a genuine interest in people. Many enjoy listening to visitors’ stories as much as sharing knowledge about the objects, and this exchange is central to what’s happening on the floor each weekend.
Alongside public activities, we’re also trialling on-floor learning sessions during weekend shifts. These afternoon sessions create space to talk about different roles and departments across the museum, how teams work together, and what’s involved in caring for and activating the collection.
As the holidays continue, volunteers are helping activate Castle Hill in ways that feel open and welcoming. Their presence turns objects into starting points for conversation.