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Exhibition

RNLI 200: The Exhibition

23 Mar - 01 Sep 2024

Included in ticket

Experience the exhilarating story of the RNLI as the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary in our brand-new exhibition for 2024.

In partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, this must-visit exhibition allows you to discover the heroic tales of the men and women who have risked their lives to save others, in times of calm and amidst the most treacherous storms.

Only available for a limited time from 23 March to 1 September 2024, this extraordinary showcase is included in your entry ticket to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, making it a truly unmissable experience for visitors of all ages.  

A remarkable 200-year story

A world-leading search and rescue organisation, the RNLI’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives since its founding in 1824. From triumphs to tragedies; from oar-powered vessels to the boats packed with cutting-edge technology used today; from introducing the first lifeboats on the River Thames to rolling-out a UK beach lifeguard service; from running the UK and Ireland’s biggest ever drowning prevention campaigns to working with others to save lives overseas – the RNLI has a remarkable 200-year story to tell.

RNLI 200 The Exhibition
Henry Blogg (centre) with the RNLI volunteers at Cromer.

Discover the legends and heroes

You may be familiar with the story of Grace Darling, one of the Victorian era’s most celebrated heroines, but you may not have heard of Henry Blogg before – the most decorated person in RNLI history, holder of three RNLI gold medals and four RNLI silver medals. Henry is considered a lifesaving legend for his 53 years of service on the Cromer lifeboats where he saved 873 lives with the help of his courageous crew. 

You will be able to experience HMS RACEHORSE’s final voyage, via video projection, and learn about the fabled ship that wrecked on a reef off the Isle of Man in 1822, inspiring the beginnings of the charity. 

Sir William Hillary, who launched the RNLI (first known as Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck) lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks off the Manx coast. He was made aware of how the townsmen had taken their boats out to Racehorse to try to save the crew, battling the heavy seas with much bravery and decided action must be taken to establish a lifeboat service. 

The exhibition will feature a limited-edition print of Tracey Emin’s painting of a lifeboat preparing to launch, inspired by her childhood memories of Margate, painted in 2014 to support cross channel swimmer James Stephenson who was raising money for the RNLI.

You will be able to see some familiar names amongst the supporters of the RNLI over the years, including several Blue Peter presenters, and Spike Milligan, who in characteristically humorous style donated funds, specifying that it was to pay for a pair of boots.

HONOURING THE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST AT SEA

Tragically over the two centuries, more than 600 crew members have lost their lives trying to save others at sea.  The exhibition will honour those whose lives have been lost and will show a digital version of The Lifeboat Service Memorial book, listing the names of all those who have given their life in the service of the RNLI.

The exhibition aims to show how the RNLI has changed over the years and will shine a light on the extraordinary engineering and innovation in lifesaving technology over the past two centuries, from the oar-powered boats and cork lifejackets of the past, to the modern boats and protective kit the crews use today.

Already home to the RNLI’s Historic Lifeboat Collection, we are the perfect venue to showcase the thrilling story of the RNLI during its bi-centenary year.

 

Stormy Stan’s Chatham Challenge

29 March to 6 May 2024

Embark on an exciting rescue mission with RNLI’s Stormy Stan and the Storm Force Crew this spring. Scatty the Seagull was enticed into a game of hide and seek with Petey and Polly and now there are lifebuoys scattered throughout The Historic Dockyard.

Are you ready to answer the call and lend Stormy Stan a helping hand?

Brace yourself for an exciting quest, complete the safety checks and navigate the twists and turns before rounding up the wayward lifebuoys and restoring order to the Dockyard.

Stormy Stan’s Chatham Challenge

AUDIO DESCRIBED TOUR

24 April 2024

Join us for a specially tailored audio described tour for blind and visually impaired audiences and their families of  RNLI 200: The Exhibition.

There are a variety of tactile, interactive elements in this gallery which you will have chance to experience.

This audio described tour will be delivered by a member of our staff and facilitated by local artist Wendy Daws of the MESS ROOM, a community arts studio based at Sun Pier House, Chatham, who works closely with Kent Association for the Blind.

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we are able to offer this tour on a complimentary basis.

RNLI 200 The Exhibition