Today marks International Museum Day, with museums across Cumbria preparing for the first summer after COVID. 

Rhian Harris, Chief Executive for Lakeland Arts, said: 

"On International Museum Day it is important to remember what makes museums so important. Museums provide a collective memory for society, and spaces to learn, discover and share experiences together." 

The Westmorland Gazette:

Trip on heritage boat Osprey at Windermere Jetty Museum.

Lakeland Arts is a charity that runs Windermere Jetty Museum, Abbot Hall, Lakeland Museum, and Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house.

Like everywhere else, museums across Cumbria had to close over the lockdowns. 

According to the Cumbria County Council, tourism generates over £2.2 billion annually for the region. Museums play an important part in this. 

"The Covid-19 pandemic created many challenges for museums and cultural spaces" Mr Harris said. "We, like many organisations, adapted our operational model and re-imagined ways of working with our communities." 

One of the programmes that Lakeland Arts created was the MEND project, which provided support for health and wellbeing through creative activities. 

This summer the MEND project will continue with a van travelling to outdoor events, music festivals, and agricultural shows. 

"Our rich collections and shared experiences help us keep the stories of this amazing region alive."