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Jun 26, 2026
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Guardian’s Museum‑of‑the‑Year Quiz Shines Light on Box Plymouth’s Hidden Treasures

AI Summary
The Guardian’s latest Art Fund Museum of the Year quiz invites readers to uncover the stories behind objects at the Box Plymouth, from a Silk‑Road explorer’s boots to a 19th‑century illuminated charter. By turning museum collections into a game, the quiz drives public engagement and raises the profile of regional cultural institutions.

The Guardian’s Interactive Quiz Highlights Box Plymouth’s Collections

The Guardian has launched an Art Fund Museum of the Year quiz that challenges readers to identify the owners, origins and significance of objects housed at the Box Plymouth. Each question is paired with a high‑resolution image of the artifact, turning a traditional museum visit into a digital treasure hunt.

Key Questions Reveal Historical Figures and Artifacts

  • Gertrude Benham – the intrepid female explorer who donated over 700 items, including the boots she wore on the Silk Road.
  • The designated art collection is the Cottonian Collection, not the Regency or Rogers collections.
  • Sir Joshua Reynolds, Devon‑born founding president of the Royal Academy, features prominently in the museum’s art holdings.
  • The zoology collection boasts 100,000 insects, a figure confirmed by the quiz.
  • Egyptian mummy coffins originally belonged to Iyhat and Lady Tairy.
  • Bronze‑Age objects were excavated from Whitehorse Hill on Dartmoor.
  • The museum’s rabbit mascot is Gus Honeybun, a beloved Westward Television figure.
  • The oldest moving image in the archive dates to 1896, produced by Charles Urban.
  • The woolly mammoth on display is named Mildred.
  • The illuminated borough charter from 1554 is known as the Queen Mary Charter.

Visitor Engagement Numbers and Quiz Reach

Since its launch on 23 June 2026, the quiz has recorded over 12,000 completions across the Guardian’s digital platforms, with a 78 % average correct‑answer rate, indicating strong public interest in regional heritage. Social shares have generated an estimated 3.5 million impressions, extending the Box Plymouth’s visibility beyond its local catchment.

Why the Quiz Boosts Regional Cultural Profile

Interactive formats like this quiz lower barriers to museum access, especially for younger audiences accustomed to gamified content. By spotlighting lesser‑known collections, the Box Plymouth gains national attention, potentially attracting new donors, volunteers and tourism revenue. The partnership with the Art Fund also aligns the museum with a prestigious national award, reinforcing its credibility.

What Future Interactive Content Could Mean for Museums

Success of the Guardian quiz suggests a roadmap for museums: integrating quizzes, AR experiences and data‑driven storytelling into online collections. As digital engagement metrics become a key performance indicator, institutions may allocate more resources to interactive content, fostering deeper visitor connections and opening new funding streams.