The Thermenmuseum tells the story of the Romans in the south of Limburg. The masterpiece is a Roman bathhouse – the best preserved Roman (public) bathhouse in the Netherlands. For nearly a decade, Chapters has been creating and telling this amazing story. Bringing historical heritage to the people.
Time has literally stood still in this museum. No innovation, no communication. As research techniques progressed,
a new research study on the Roman bathhouse presented itself.
The province initiated to communicate this research with the local public - to remind them of their heritage and of the museum. As their memories might hold the image of an old, dusty building, it was Chapters challenge to recreate the image of the public, encouraging them to revisit their heritage.
Letting go of the old and embracing the new. A completely new DNA. The result?The number of unique visitors is multiplied by four, and Thermenmuseum is awarded the title ‘oldest building of the Netherlands’ - thanks to the repositioning and rebranding of the museum.
How do you make archaeological research results relevant to the surrounding residents? We took them with us from the first day of research. Social posts, video updates and newsletters. Everything was recorded for 4 years. The showpiece was an annual exhibition. In which we shared the results of each year. To encourage involvement and support, visitors immediately received an annual pass upon their visit - to continue to follow the museum and the research throughout the year. And we continue to provide innovative offers and communication to the public.
As their steady communication partner since 2015, many concepts have been created for the Thermenmuseum, resulting in various exhibitions and campaigns - with the main focus on reclaiming history and bringing the Roman Empire back to life in a Roman bathhouse, the oldest stone building in the Netherlands.
Thermenmuseum might be the oldest building, it's branding feels brand new.
The new branding goes back to the roots of Thermenmuseum in a contemporary way.
The brand feels accessible, human, and refreshing with a youthful graphic style - and with real people to identify with. Bringing the Roman roots back to the people of Heerlen.
The museum keeps moving with lectures, workshops, children's programs, its own newspaper, and an archeologist lab. Outdoor exposure draws people into the museum - from A2 masts to construction fences too posters throughout the city and in bus shelters. Throughout the years we worked on many product development projects, to tell the ancient story in a way that it speaks to the audience. Our showpiece is the permanent exhibition inside the museum.
