History comes to life
SOLDIERS and Civilians—covering over 1,000 years of Cheshire history will be bringing the National Waterways Museum to life at the Warriors and Washerwomen Living History Fair.
Running over a colourful week-end of the 20th and 21st of July, this will see the museum taken over by re-enactors from many different periods giving a living, walking and talking exhibition of the history of Cheshire.
Now a fixture
The event first took place at the Ellesmere Port museum last year and the successful weekend ensured that it became a fixture of the museum's calendar.
Visitors are invited to take a walk around the site and 'meet the ancestors', including a Viking family, Medieval Pilgrims, English Civil War Soldiers, 18th Century Redcoats and a host of others from across time. American Civil War soldiers will also be present to teach you about the North-West's fascinating links to that conflict.
World War II section
The always atmospheric Porters Row cottages will be the setting for an extensive World War II section—with the Home Guard in residence and a very hands-on interactive display of childrens' toys and games from the 1930's, 40's and 50's that all the family can have a go at, and maybe even show the youngsters how children entertained themselves in the era before video games were even thought of.
Museum General Manager John Inch explained:
"We had a great weekend last year and we're looking forward to welcoming even more re-enactors for this year's event. It is one of my favourite events of the museum calendar with colourful costumes and even the possibility of the odd crackle of musket fire around the historic Port buildings."
Welcome visitors with memories
The museum is particularly looking to welcome visitors who have memories of the Porters Row cottages before they became part of the museum—and also any general canal memories. The 20th Century Voices team will be on hand to record and archive these memories as part of a project to preserve canal memories. 20th Century Voices major oral history project aims to capture peoples' personal stories and memories of the canals and rivers and record them for posterity in the national waterway archive.
The Trust is appealing for people to come forward and share their recollections of the waterways, which will then be archived to keep the story of the waterways alive for generations to come.
Drill displays
Demonstrations, drill displays and other shows of old-time skills will be taking place around the museum's seven acres during both days.
In addition to the historical re-enactors, all the usual museum exhibitions will be open and boat trips will be running. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm on both days and normal entrance charges apply.