Press Release

Family Fun Day for ‘Our Lives’ exhibition at the Tower Museum

Tuesday 17th June 2008

A fascinating new exhibition entitled ‘Our Lives’, which relives the post-war era and what it meant for people living in the North West, is holding a special family fun day, this Saturday 21st June.

Marie Therese Martin works the glamorous look of the 1940's as part of the 'Our Lives' post war exhibition at the Tower Museum that is hosting a special Family Fun Day this Saturday 21st June. For further information contact the Tower Museum 028 7137 2411

The exhibition is based on the everyday lives of people in the North West region during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s during the post-war era and has been developed in partnership with the Causeway Museum Service and is open to the public until the end of July. A range of exhibits has been assembled in order to present a realistic picture of life during this period. Items such as a 1950’s television set, one of the first electric heaters and a basic iron, will be a stark reminder for many, of the limited uses of electricity back then.

Two living history characters will be on hand at the museum on Saturday from 1- 4pm and ‘reliving their experiences’ from this era with amusing tales ranging from the wonder of the first indoor toilets in the new Creggan Housing estate to the revolution in housekeeping such as irons and ironing boards. Rationing went on well into the 1950’s and people will enjoy hearing inventive recipes that were inspired by the ration books back then.

Children will similarly delight in stories of what schools were like back in ‘the good old days’ as well enjoying a selection of puzzles and colouring-in activities.

A selection of old toys and original prams will provide a trip down memory lane for post-war babies while a range of kitchen and farming implements highlight how much harder and time consuming even the simplest tasks were back then.

The inclusion of original 1950’s clothing and the central connection to the rest of the world - the radio - will help seal a perfect picture of days gone by. Margaret Edwards, Education Officer for the Heritage and Museum Service explains that this is an exhibition that will be enjoyed by all generations. She continues

“It is one thing to describe periods in history but an exhibition like this is really brings it to life as well as being very entertaining. ‘Our Lives’ will be a popular family adventure, as younger people will enjoy the stories from older generations and the memories that many of these exhibits will inspire and this family fun day gives everyone to come along and do just that.”

Patrons should also note that the museum is open seven days weekly throughout the summer from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday and on Sundays from 10am until 2pm.

For further information on this or any other exhibition at the Tower Museum please contact reception telephone 028 7137 2411 or simply log on to www.derrycity.gov.uk/museums

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