Hampshire Cultural Trust has over 400 volunteers who work hard throughout the year championing our venues and collections, while creating a positive, welcoming and educational experience for our visitors when our venues are open to the public.
We spoke to Aldershot Military Museum volunteer Dean Hollands to highlight the work of our volunteers and explain what he enjoys most about volunteering.
Your name?
Dean Hollands.
How long have you been a volunteer?
6 years.
How did you first get involved and what is your role now?
I initially did the meet and greet for visitors, working in the shop and cafeteria. On behalf of the museum, I now conduct walks, talks and tours and undertake research for museum events. I consider myself to be a champion for the museum and all it represents.
What you like about volunteering?
The opportunity to meet and work alongside like-minded people and people who are genuinely interested in our local and military heritage.
What is your favourite object in the museum?
The Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte death mask.
The death mask is a plaster copy of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, also known as the Prince Imperial, the only child of Emperor Napoleon III and his wife, Eugénie de Montijo. The mask was taken shortly after his death on 1 June 1879, while he was serving with the British Army fighting the Zulus. The mask is on loan from Saint Michael's Abbey, Farnborough.
A fact about the museum that not many people know?
The museum’s galleries once formed part of Oudenarde Barracks. Oudenarde was a battle that resulted in a famous victory for the Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1708.
Favourite part of the museum?
The recreated barrack displays of the 1890s and 1950s.
Interested in volunteering with Hampshire Cultural Trust? You can make a real difference to your local community and enrich your own life, too. Find out more here.
If you have enjoyed Culture on Call and you are able to make a donation, any support you can give will help us keep people connected.
