WESTBURY Museum’s recent photo exhibition called, ‘Westbury Life Through a Lens’, has attracted so many visitors, that the organisers have decided to keep some of the pictures on view for a few more weeks.
As part of this, a new display marks King Charles III’s coronation by looking back at previous reigns and royal events, and pride of place is given to one of the mugs presented to local school children at the time of the last coronation 70 years ago.
There are photos and other memorabilia and, for those interested in old technology, a 1950’s television set similar to the ones bought by many to watch Queen Elizabeth II crowned. A selection of commemorative china can also be seen, including some produced for the coronation that didn’t happen – that of Edward VIII.
The exhibition features themed displays on subjects from sports and events through to the town’s lost industries such as clothmaking, gloving, tanning, cigarette manufacture and much more. There are photographs of men in the engine sheds, views of the old railway station and the huge iron ore works that once towered over the landscape.
There’s also the chance to see how Westbury has grown with aerial views from the 1920s along with maps. Extensive displays on street scene will enable visitors to turn detective and see how their town has changed – and marvel at the number of shops and pubs we used to have.
Along with information boards tracing the history of photography there are cabinets displaying cameras and even a Victorian stereoscope complete with slides.
The museum is on the first floor of the library in Edward Street and is open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday during library opening times.
