Museum pilots in Estonia bring stories, skills and spaces behind the scenes to life
In the autumn 2025, CoMe Stronger project piloted three new service products in Estonia together with the Estonian National Museum and Estonian Agricultural Museum. These pilots invited elderly men not only to visit museums, but to shape them: by sharing memories, guiding younger generations, and stepping behind the scenes to discover what ordinary visitors rarely get to see.
Behind the scenes: a guided tour into hidden museum spaces
Behind the scenes pilot offered a rare opportunity to enter the Estonian National Museum’s archives, workshops and staff‑only areas. Participants visited collections not normally accessible to the public, and got to explore items such as wooden objects and historical beer mugs, as well as visit a busy metal conservator’s workshop. The elderly men involved were deeply curious and enthusiastic, often steering the tour through their own questions and interests. Museum staff also appreciated the chance to showcase work that usually remains hidden. A few practical challenges emerged: without seating or breaks, some participants found the 1.5‑hour tour physically demanding, and behind‑the‑scenes areas required extra preparation to ensure safety and accessibility.
Sharing stories: a thematic lecture and storytelling event
A thematic lecture and storytelling evening at the Estonian National Museum, brought community members together to reminisce and exchange memories about their local area. A local expert introduced the theme, after which participants shared their own experiences, asked questions and helped build a richer picture of local history. The atmosphere was warm and reflective, and many participants enjoyed reconnecting with familiar places and shared memories. At the same time, organizers noted that recruiting elderly participants – especially men – proved quite difficult, and not everyone felt confident enough to share their stories openly.
Learning across generations: family day with user‑generated activity
The last pilot in Estonian Agricultural Museum transformed the detailed, practical knowledge of elderly men into a playful family activity. Before the event, men contributed insights about museum objects – particularly machines and tools – which were adapted into a child‑friendly scavenger hunt for a Family day. During the event, grandparents and children explored the exhibits together, sparking intergenerational conversations and learning. Children enjoyed the game aspect, while older adults found joy in passing on their experience.
A promising future for participatory museum experiences
Together, these three pilots showed how storytelling, intergenerational learning and behind‑the‑scenes access can make museum visits more personal and engaging – while also revealing practical challenges such as reaching elderly men and preparing non‑public spaces safely.
All the service products developed during CoMe Stronger project have now been fully modelled, and the models are available on the project’s website for any museum or cultural organisation to adopt and adapt to their own needs.
