#Museum
Coventry Cathedral Blitz Museum
Coventry Cathedral Blitz Museum is in the corner of the ruins of the Cathedral. This small museum run by volunteers remembers the stories of the city during the Second World War. The focus on the museum is to remember the night of 14 November 1940, which changed the city’s landscape and lives of its citizens forever. This was the German bombing raid code named ‘Moonlight Sonata’.
The museum is home artefacts and stories of the wartime period of the 1940s. The visit takes you back in time to look at 14 November 1940, the largest attack on the city by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force).
Over the years, the museum volunteers have been children of the Coventry Blitz. This gives a visitor an added insight to speak with the people who were there and experienced the terror that came to the city during the Second World War.
Artefacts within the museum transport you back to the 1940s period, including records, music, newspapers and photographs. Rooms within the museum are set up in wartime period, for example a school classroom, a kitchen from a house, and a bomb-damaged street of Coventry with an air raid shelter.
This museum is ideal for school groups or young adults studying the Blitz and civilian life during the Second World War. Talks can be offered to small groups to help enhance their experience.
There are two short films that using archive footage from 1940 that show scenes of the city before and after the bombing. This also incorporates footage captured by German forces of the raid taking place. The conclusion shows footage of the first mass burial and grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry with both military and civilians who were present during the service and committal.
Further information can be found on the museum’s Facebook or YouTube channel. Due to the museum being staffed only by volunteers, the opening days and times vary so consulting the website is necessary.