This spring, visitors to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port will have two opportunities to look back at the history of the town.

The Ellesmere Port Local and Family History Society, the Ellesmere Port Photographic Society and students from West Cheshire College will be putting on an exhibition, hosted by the National Waterways Museum, entitled Then and Now based on 10 iconic images of the town.

The event will be held from Wednesday, March 5 to Tuesday, April 29, as part of the new Port Arts Festival Fringe.

The iconic images have, in the main, been selected from the extensive collection in The Waterways Archive/Canal and River Trust, permanently held in Ellesmere Port.

The Ellesmere Port lighthouse will feature in the new exhibition at the National Waterways Museum
The Ellesmere Port lighthouse will feature in the new exhibition at the National Waterways Museum

The subjects include people, the lighthouse, the oil industry, leisure, shops, clubs and pubs, the docks and flour mills, architecture, transport and general industry.

The local photographic society and students have been asked to interpret them.

Their brief was to submit a ‘now’ photo to match the iconic ‘then’ photo or ‘their own interpretation’.

Funding for the project has been provided by Arts Council England.

Later this year, the National Waterways Museum is opening a new, permanent exhibition covering the history of Ellesmere Port – replacing the one that has been a popular attraction for locals for many years.

This new exhibition has been developed with the help of members of the Ellesmere Port Local and Family History Society.

For more details about opening hours and admission charges, visit the National Waterways Museum, call 0151 355 5017 or visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum.