The National Archives has created this virtual museum to showcase artifacts from its permanent collection that documents 1,000 years of British history. Although the site has some minor design flaws, such as light text that horizontally scrolls across dark, busy backgrounds, and .pdf files that are not clearly identified as such, its structure supports those who want to use historical objects to illustrate history. The site is organized into a series of galleries, such as Kings and Queens, Famous Names, War & Defense, and Invention, Fashion & Design. Each Gallery starts with a short essay, and includes images of eight to ten artifacts. For example, the Famous Names Gallery begins by reminding us that in our unequal society, we tend to have more material documenting the rich than the rest of us, and includes Shakespeare's will.
Comments