Due to the exciting developments at Ocean Terminal The Wee, Museum of Memory has had to leave the old unit on the second floor to a new – temporary – space on the first floor. We moved into an empty restaurant at the end of 2019 and quickly adapted to the space. We had a window looking out onto Britannia, space for an office, a sound proofed studio, and an L-shaped area for display and public access.
Of course within a few months the country, had gone into Lockdown as Covid 19 spread. Many of us worked from home, or were on furlough. Once we reopened, we continued to expand our collections with many interesting donations of objects and memories. Our children’s area developed into a well used play area. The sofas and chairs beside the window were great for our regular reminiscence and activity groups. Our visitor numbers often exceeded 100 per day…
But things change, and after much planning OT embarked on their ambitious redevelopment in November 2023. The Wee Hub moved into the empty French Connection unit on the first floor (as well as using the Wagamama space) at the end of last year. However the Wee Museum’s new home needs some TLC and repair work before we can use it, so we in the meantime we have taken over half of the Wee Hub. On 29th March we closed the Wee Museum on the second floor, packed up and moved downstairs. With the help of a team of staff and volunteers (thank you to our team of young lads: Darren, Kris and Stefan – who helped us move the last time) over two weeks we packed, transported, carried boxes, furniture, equipment, pictures, mannequins, cases, bits and bobs with no major disasters or breakages!
Although we no longer have a window, we organised a comfy seating area for our groups, which have restarted with John’s Tuesday afternoon group and Joyce’s Thursday morning group.
With limited space we have also had to reorganise and reduce the amount of material that is on display. What is visible is only a selection of what we have in the collection, most of which is now stored at the back of the unit or in OT’s storage space. Naomi has carefully chosen objects to reflect the kind of material that has been donated to us, both typical and unique, so that visitors are still able to engage with, pick up and reminiscence about their childhood, home life, work, travel, hobbies… The displays are themed: sport and leisure, travel and transport, medicines and savings, food storage, drinks, household and cooking, technology, hair and beauty and sewing. The space is accessible for those using mobility aids, and the objects can still be picked up and examined. Our children’s play area has had to be stored but we do share a space with the Wee Play Hub so are not excluding younger visitors.
Although it is likely that we will be moving again later in the year, at the moment we are again open seven days a week: 10.30 to 4.00 Monday to Friday and 11.00-4.00 at weekends. Our Memory Boxes can still be borrowed (for a small donation). Visitors are welcome to join our groups on Tuesday and Thursday and we can book other groups for planned reminiscence sessions – a donation towards tea and coffee is welcome. If you want to pop in and have a wander round and reminisce with one of us, or have any questions drop us an email: comhist@googlemail.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheWeeMuseumOfMemory