Exploring Estonia’s museums with elderly men
This autumn, project workshops have taken place in museums across Estonia that are not otherwise involved in the project. The workshops aimed to gather elderly men’s thoughts and experiences on how museum services could better attract them and to inspire ideas for new service products. Another important goal was to broaden participants’ understanding of the diverse range of museum services available.
The project, in collaboration with Meeste Garaaž, continued to bring enriching experiences to local elderly men by organizing workshops to some of Estonia’s most fascinating museums.
Maritime Museum visit
Recently, the group visited the Maritime Museum. Estonia’s rich maritime history made the museum an appealing choice, especially for those who had never visited before. Participants noted that early museum visits often spark lifelong interest. It was also found that men rarely discuss museum visits or experiences with peers, which limits word-of-mouth promotion and contributes to lower attendance. Even when they enjoy the visits, they seldom mention them, reflecting broader attitudes toward museums. The group observed that community leaders or enthusiastic friends can boost participation, as social encouragement is key.
Feedback from the visit highlighted a desire for more engaging storytelling and interactive exhibits.
Mining museum adventure
On October 15, CoMe Stronger and Meeste Garaaž organized a trip to the Estonian Mining Museum. The adventure began with donning helmets and optional miner jackets, followed by a train ride through the underground tunnels once used by miners. The guided tour offered insights into Estonia’s mining history, machinery, and the oil shale industry. The group’s enthusiasm was evident, with many questions asked and lively discussions throughout the visit. The tour guide, being of a similar age group, helped foster a comfortable and relatable atmosphere.
Many participants described the Mining Museum visit as their favorite experience so far, praising the engaging content and the opportunity to connect with Estonia’s industrial heritage.
