Carisbrooke Castle Museum VE Day Oral History Project
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Through VE 80: Unlocking Stories of 1945, Carisbrooke Castle Museum is collecting, preserving and sharing the memories of Islanders who experienced the end of the Second World War.
This project brings generations together to uncover and celebrate the Island’s wartime history — with a special focus on community voices, intergenerational learning, and personal stories.
VE Day 80: Unlocking Stories
Oral History Exhibition
This new audio visual exhibition is the culmination of our work this year with people who have memories of the Second World War on the Isle of Wight. It showcases the stories of twenty people who shared their childhood memories of the Island in wartime in an oral history interview with us. Their voices are illustrated with their own photographs as well as images and objects from the Museum collection.
Lord Louis Library, Newport
10th December to 5th January
Freshwater Library
6th January to 19th January
Ventnor Library
20th January to 2nd February
Sandown Library
3rd February to 16th February
Ryde Library
17th February to 2nd March
Cowes Library
3rd March to 17th March
Get Involved
Do you have a memory, photograph, or family story from VE Day or life on the Isle of Wight in 1945?
We’d love to hear from you! Your memories or photos could form part of our upcoming exhibition.
Project Partners & Funders
This project has been made possible with funding from:
