Work on Mansfield Museum’s Heritage lottery Funded gallery redevelopment has now begun, by offering the local community the chance to make their contribution right from the start.
Tuesday 3 and Friday 6 September saw the first two of their Memory Days. Mansfield Museum are at the beginning of a complete re-vamp of their Arcade (the long, glass-roofed gallery leading down from the Museum’s front door). When finished, this project will provide a fascinating overview of the industries which were for decades at the heart of the town.
With this in mind, Mansfield Museum felt there was no-one better equipped to help tell the story of the factories, which once played so large a part in the lives of thousands of Mansfield people, than the people who actually worked in them. The Memory Days were designed to allow ordinary people to let future generations know what the world of work was like when they were on the shop-floor.
On each of these informal days, employees past and present could drop in for as long or as little as suited them. Over tea and biscuits there was a chance to catch up with old work colleagues, share memories and stories and perhaps look at photos or memorabilia they had brought along. The Museum also dusted down some of our own items that might remind visitors of their earlier working life.
There were opportunities to volunteer to help in lots of practical, enjoyable ways; to lend or donate photos or objects – even to record favourite memories to be enjoyed by visitors to the new gallery.
The first two days were dedicated to Mansfield Shoe Co. and quarrying, sand and foundry work respectively, participants found them no-pressure, friendly affairs which made them realise how important their part in the local community’s past has been. Old acquaintances were refreshed; reminiscences swapped, photographs inspected and a wealth of intriguing information gathered from lively interviewees with some wonderful tales to tell.
Mansfield Museum would like to say thanks to all those who came along and shared so much of themselves. The Museum has exciting plans to use community contributions in the gallery, in print and on-line. Everyone present thought these days were a perfect beginning to the next year’s work on providing the people of Mansfield with the tribute to their hard work, they deserve.
Follow Mansfield Museum’s progress on their website at http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum/
