Case Study: Piecing Together a Love Story
During his work experience placement, 17 year old H had the chance to explore one of the museum’s most personal archives — a box of letters written to Elisabeth Buchmeyer by Liam Lewis, the man who would later become her husband. The collection offered a tantalising glimpse into their relationship, but there was a twist: only one side of the correspondence exists.
Undeterred, H took on the challenge of reconstructing the story from what remained. By carefully analysing dates, handwriting, tone and the changing addresses on the envelopes, he began to trace how their relationship evolved from early acquaintance to deep affection. He recorded how Elisabeth’s life changed when she moved from Germany to settle in the UK.
Through this process, H discovered how archives can bring the past to life, even when the story is incomplete. His findings formed the narrative for museum display, proving that curiosity and close attention can turn fragments into a compelling human story.
