SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS MUSEUM
June 2008
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Praised in 2008 European Museum of the Year Award
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is the first name to figure on the famous roll of honour at this year’s Wimbledon Championships by winning a Special Commendation in the 2008 European Museum of the Year Award.
Adding to long list of already impressive accolades, WLTM was presented with the award by the European Museum Forum at an awards ceremony in Dublin. The Museum is being recognised for its achievements in imaginative innovation and significant influence in the national and international museum field, and for the excellence of its marketing stategy.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum has served ace after ace with its state-of-the-art and innovative exhibits, while also ensuring it is accessible to as many visitors as possible. Highlights include:
- The Science of Tennis filmed on Centre Court being shown in the 200˚ Cinema with amazing computer generated 3-D effects
- A recreation of the 1980s Gentlemen’s Dressing Room as a 3-D John McEnroe ‘ghost’ walks through
- Tim Henman’s winning outfit worn at his last ever match at Wimbledon
- Interactive touch screens bringing to life the Museum’s extensive archive
- The renowned Championships’ trophies
- Unparalleled collection of traditional and contemporary tennis memorabilia
To further enhance the Museum’s extensive collection, complementary audio guides bring exhibits to life and immerse visitors in a multi-sensory experience. Available in eight languages, visitors simply select their language of choice and a commentary navigates visitors through the Museum. The audio guides are also customised to focus on tennis in each country. WLTM also offers deaf visitors a tour presented in sign language using the latest hand-held video technology.
The palm-sized screen displays more than two hours of video in which three signing e-guides explain museum exhibits and highlights.
Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, home of the Museum, welcomed the award: “This is great news and a deserved accolade for this fantastic addition to the Wimbledon experience. In using the combination of its unrivalled collection of memorabilia and state-of-the-art technology to tell the story of The Championships and the history of tennis in such a compelling way, the Museum makes for a very entertaining visit. Anyone coming to London will now have even more reason to include Wimbledon year-round on their itinerary.”
Ashley Jones, Commercial Manager of the Museum commented, ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the award as it cements the Museum’s reputation as a truly world class player on both the national and international stage.’
Designed by Mather & Co of Wilmslow, Cheshire, the Museum has been accumulating awards since its opening in 2006. It has recently been awarded the Gold Visit London Best Tourism Experience Award 2007 as well as the Bronze Visit London Accessible Tourism Award 2007.
An official venue for the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Wimbledon hosts some of the world’s best tennis that is rich in history and quintessentially British. Supporting this, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum presents the past, present and future of the sport and has clearly set its sights on becoming the ultimate destination for tennis fans around the world.
