Blackpool’s Treasure Trove will be ‘popping up’ in various Blackpool locations over the coming months, presenting their three new pop up museums. The project has brought local people together on a journey to discover Blackpool’s world famous entertainment heritage, marking this with pop up museums created by local groups and regional artists. These mobile museums exhibit a variety of historic themes in creative ways, including quirks and eccentricities only found in Blackpool.
“The time and effort put into Blackpool’s Treasure Trove by the local groups involved has been incredible. Hours of hard work have been put in to create three unique and educational stories illustrating Blackpool’s entertainment heritage. The pop up museums are guaranteed to wow the crowds” says Beth Garlington, Community Heritage Assistant.
Blackpool’s Treasure Trove project is a Heritage Lottery and Blackpool Council funded project that aims to connect local residents with the town’s unique entertainment heritage. The project is run by Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde, through the centre’s Heritage programme. In recent months, three adult community groups – Blackpool Embroiderers’ Guild, Claremont First Step and Blackpool Inspirations have been collaborating with regional artists, Costumologists, Reet So and Alastair Price, to develop ideas through a set of creative workshops. During the project, the groups have had access to local collections and heritage venues, including Lightworks, the home of Blackpool Illuminations and collection’s, and the Cyril Critchlow collection at Central Library.
The project explores Blackpool’s entertainment heritage from the 1950s to the present day, giving the participants the opportunity to share their own memories of the resort. From these conversations came reminiscences of elephants (being washed) on the beach, past cinemas of Blackpool and watching Punch and Judy shows. These have been included in the pop up museums alongside themes such as Blackpool Tower entertainment, sideshows and arcades.
The project was previously completed with young people’s groups which resulted in four pop up museums. These pop up museums have proved not only visually appealing, but also educational and inspiring for people of all ages. The museums, which are small scale and easy to transport, have been ‘popping up’ in a variety of places including schools, festivals and local events. The three additional pop up museums will join the original four and ‘pop up’ at local schools and venues, potentially appearing at care homes and hospitals as a memory aid for residents and patients.
The next pop up appearance will be at the Blackpool Museum Project’s Museum In the Making event on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th August, 11am – 4pm. This event will take place in the Horseshoe and Pavilion Theatre at The Winter Gardens.
For more information contact Laura Brennan, Community Heritage Assistant 01253 301004 / 07834 270329. You can also like them on Facebook or follow on Twitter @BPL_Treasures.
Image courtesy of CJ Griffiths Photography
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