Sanctuary Wood Museum: A Window into WWI Trench Warfare

Sanctuary Wood Museum, also known as Hill 62, provides a glimpse into the brutal realities of World War I trench warfare. The site's name, 'Sanctuary Wood,' originated in October 1914 when the woodland offered cover for soldiers. However, heavy shelling soon transformed it into a devastated landscape. The museum displays a collection of WWI artifacts, including weapons, uniforms, and poignant 3D stereoscopic photographs. These images offer a startlingly clear view of scenes from the war. Outside, visitors can walk through a preserved section of British trenches. These trenches, while partially restored, provide a visceral sense of the conditions endured by soldiers. The site also features shell craters and shattered trees, stark reminders of the intense battles that took place here. Jacques Schier, the grandson of the farmer who owned the land during the war, decided to preserve the site as a memorial. The family has maintained the museum since then, even burying the artifacts during World War II to protect them from occupying forces. Sanctuary Wood Museum offers a moving and educational experience for those seeking to understand the impact of war.