Mothers honoured in new city centre exhibition

Chester's Grosvenor Museum has opened its latest exhibition which discusses the topic of Motherhood from 1860 to 1960.

The exhibition, which will run at 20 Castle Street in the museum until July 2015, has been designed to complement the period room settings from 1860 to 1910 with additional objects and labelling.

The story from 1910 to 1960 continues in the costume gallery where many visitors will recognise household objects and life-patterns, such as Monday’s Washing Day where clothes are put through the wringer and the first television set in the 1950s.

The role of the mother is considered through themes, using objects and costume that will inspire visitors to share memories and discuss social changes over the last 60 years.

Children will also be able to try their hand at cross-stitch lettering and identifying the exhibition objects in ‘feely boxes’.

The exhibition is supported by Year 5 pupils of Oldfield Primary School, who took part in a week of sessions, led by Cheshire West Museums, Libraries and Record Office, discovering how children lived in the past.

The youngsters were able to investigate the museum’s handling collection of Victorian clothing, cleaning materials and holiday items before sewing cross-stitch letters which have been made into a banner for the exhibition.

Cllr Stuart Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “It’s wonderful that the museum has such a range of stories to be told through the objects it holds in its care.

“The Motherhood exhibition is an example of how the museum engages all members of the community.

“The exhibition triggers nostalgia and is not just about motherhood, but about the lives we can remember.”

The exhibition follows VisitEngland’s seventh consecutive VAQAS award (Quality Assured Visitor Attraction) which credits the museum for offering ‘an excellent overall visitor experience’.

Entrance to the Grosvenor Museum is free and for more information on the museum, its exhibition and activity programme, visit www.cheshirewestmuseums.org .