For my next project- Period elements with DFTV, I am looking at the period of World War 2 and therefore for initial research, I visited Bletchley Park to experience what life would have been like during the war.
Bletchley Park estate was chosen in 1938 to the home of the Government Code and Cypher School. Close to London, Oxford and Cambridge, its transport connections were an obvious advantage. At Bletchley Park a different type of war was being fought. A Secret War. Men and women raced against time to break the ‘unbreakable’ enemy codes and ciphers and turn the tide in the allies favour. Staff at Bletchley Park numbered fewer than 200 in 1939 which grew to almost 9000 by 1945.
‘It looks as if Bletchley Park is the single Greatest achievement of Britain during 1939-45, perhaps during the 20th century as a whole’ George Steiner, American author who has written extensively about the impact of the Holocaust
Throughout the war the Mansion was used to accommodate various sections with the Library being used by the German and Italian Naval subsections.
The rooms were full of equipment, tables and chairs however the problem with overcrowding was resolved in the Autumn of 1939 with the expansion of Bletchley Park.
Using original photographs taken in 1940, Bletchley Park recreated the wartime office using period furniture and paraphernalia. The house was originally built in 1860.
18th September 1938- for 3 weeks around 70 staff work on the mansion- conditions are cramped and chaotic with mounds of books and papers scattered around.
I really enjoyed this trip as I will be able to use the recreated war period as inspiration for my next project. I particuarly enjoyed walking through the mansion and seeing how the living spaces and offices were once set up. I was drawn to the dark brown and green colour themes with little colour. The setting felt mundane and monotone.
Comments