The dawn of the new year heralds the arrival of the 40th anniversary of Nantwich Museum.
As well as the usual temporary exhibitions, walking tours of the town, workshops, coffee mornings and events for special occasions, there will be additional special events to celebrate the anniversary.
These include a talk on Saturday 6th June by Gaye Blake-Roberts Curator of the Wedgwood Museum, a Community Collection Day and competitions for children. (Full details will be announced in due course.)
Nantwich Museum opened in January 1980 in the former Nantwich Free Library building in Pillory Street with the aim of preserving the history of the town and its environs.
As the museum’s collection developed in the early days, temporary exhibitions became the mainstay.
One, in 1983, concerned with fire insurance emblems from which was derived the sun logo.
The cheese and dairy exhibition was originally housed in a lean-to outside but moved indoors in 1990 at the same time as the Joseph Heler Room (upstairs) was opened as an exhibition/meetings room.
The Millennium Gallery was a major addition in 2000 along with a secure collection store and general store room.
Now, plans are in hand to re-develop the museum and its permanent displays.
Here’s what we can look forward to this year…
Dreams of Nantwich
On 8th January a new temporary exhibition opens in the Millennium Gallery.
‘Dreams of Nantwich’ by Michal and Jan Obolewicz seeks to create the mythical and fairy tale story of Nantwich through its beauty and history in the medium of watercolour.
Holly Holy Day
Holly Holy Day, the annual commemoration of The Battle of Nantwich, takes place on Saturday 25th January.
The programme of events at Nantwich Museum is as follows:
10am – Civil war tour of the town (£4, Museum Members £3).
10.30am – Pike and musketry demonstration led by members of The Sealed Knot (free entry).
11.30am – Civil war tour of the town (£4, Museum Members £3).
11.45am – 17th century music by Forlorne Hope (free entry).
The impressive and fascinating model depicting the 1644 Battle of Nantwich will be on display throughout the day.
Spring talks
Following popular demand a new series of talks is scheduled for the spring the following details being correct at the time of publishing:
11th March Great Fire of Nantwich by Keith Lawrence and Andrew Lamberton.
18th March The Nantwich Workhouse by Bill Pearson.
25th March Nantwich’s Norman Castle by Bernie Strawson.
1st April Theatres and Cinemas of Nantwich by Graham Dodd.
8th April Nantwich Races by Keith Lawrence and Bernie Strawson.
15th April Nantwich, a Walled Garrison in the Civil War by Brian Cole.
Costs: £25 for full course (£20 for Museum Members) or £5 per talk (Museum Members £4).
Bookings will be taken from Thursday 2nd January.
Temporary exhibitions
The following temporary exhibitions in the Millennium Gallery following “Dreams of Nantwich” have been announced. Details correct at the time of publishing.
‘Personal Voices’ by The Breakaway Textiles Group opens 11th March.
‘Endangered & Extinct’ by Val Hunt opens 13th May.
’40 Years of Nantwich Museum’ opens 15th July.
‘2020 Nantwich Camera Club Photographic Exhibition’ opens 16th September.
‘A Celebration of Stitch’ by Connected Threads opens 28th October.
‘Neo-Renaissance’ by Mark Sheeky opens 15th December.
Children’s holiday workshops
Children’s holiday workshops will take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th February.
