Glasgow’s historic Tall Ship Glenlee, a 127-year-old vessel turned museum, has unveiled an innovative upgrade that allows visitors to control and experience various scents throughout the ship. This enhancement is part of a broader effort funded by Museums Galleries Scotland’s Museum Development Fund, aimed at improving the ship’s signage, interpretation, and sensory experiences.
Bringing History to Life with Scents
In collaboration with AromaPrime, experts in museum scenting, the team at Glenlee identified seven key areas where scents could add a new dimension to the visitor experience. These scents were meticulously chosen to reflect the ship’s historical context and enhance the storytelling aspect of the exhibits.
Interactive Scent Experience
The unique feature of this upgrade is a specially designed system that fills the historical rooms with scents at the push of a button, triggered by visitors. This interactive approach was developed and installed by the museum’s team with guidance from AromaPrime, making Glenlee one of the first museums to offer such an experience on this scale.
The selected seven scents include:
– Captain’s Bathroom:** Old-fashioned soap
– Captain’s Saloon:** Tobacco and alcohol
– Deckhouse:** Putrid dirty linen
– Engine Room:** Oil and smoke
– Galley:** Potatoes
– Hospital:** Antiseptic fluids
Expert Insights
Liam R. Findlay, historical scenting consultant at AromaPrime, highlighted the novelty of this approach in the museum sector. He noted, “The way visitors can trigger the scents in the rooms is quite a new approach in the museum sector. This interactive element encourages visitors to focus on the smells, thinking about their characteristics and historical significance.”
Lauren Henning, Learning and Museum Manager at Tall Ship Glenlee, emphasized the importance of sustainability and accessibility in the planning process. “Sustainability and accessibility, especially for those with sensory sensitivities, were key considerations. We devised a system where the scents are released by pressing a brass doorbell integrated into interpretation panels, ensuring comfort and engagement.”
Installation and Fine-Tuning
The installation of this multisensory interpretation involved a significant effort in July, transforming the ship with these new interactive elements. The team is currently fine-tuning each space, considering factors like scent duration, machine placement, and airflow to optimize the visitor experience.
The Tall Ship Glenlee’s interactive scent feature represents a pioneering step in museum sensory experiences, offering visitors a deeper and more engaging connection to history. This upgrade not only enriches the visitor experience but also sets a new standard for how museums can use multisensory elements to enhance storytelling.
Images: The Tall Ship Glenlee
