On Friday 13 March, our class and lecturers stepped into the past at Beamish Museum. But this wasn’t just a typical museum visit. It was a glimpse into how history is being reimagined for the digital age.
Beamish is famous for being a living history museum. Instead of looking at artefacts behind glass, you walk through entire streets, houses and shops from the past. Trams move through cobbled roads, staff wear historical clothing and every corner feels like stepping onto a movie set from another era.
But what surprised many of us the most was how this historical place is embracing modern communication and social media.
From trams to TikTok
At 10:30am, we attended a talk called “From Trams to TikTok: How Beamish Engages with Audiences Online.”
The session showed how the museum uses platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to connect with younger audiences. Through short videos, behind-the-scenes stories and historical content, Beamish transforms everyday moments in the museum into engaging digital storytelling.
It’s a reminder that even places dedicated to the past need to think about how they communicate in the present.
Communicating the museum’s biggest project
Later at 1:00pm, we attended another session titled “Communicating Beamish: A Comms Campaign for the Museum’s Biggest Ever Development.”
The talk explored how the museum’s communications team built excitement and awareness around a major expansion project. Large developments like this require more than construction. They rely on strong PR, storytelling and community engagement to bring people along on the journey.
For those of us studying media, PR and communication, it was a fascinating real-world example of how strategic communication supports cultural institutions.
A day where past meets present
After the talks, we explored the museum ourselves. Walking through historic streets, visiting traditional shops and riding the vintage trams made the experience feel like travelling through time.
Beamish proves that history doesn’t have to stay in the past. With the right storytelling and communication, it can live online, inspire new audiences and remain relevant in a digital world.
And honestly? Seeing a 19th-century street inspire TikTok content might be one of the most unexpected but brilliant combinations of past and present.
By Fabiana, a Master's Media and Public Relations student