New West Cumbrian museum - in back of shop
Last updated at 19:40, Thursday, 26 July 2012
A Cockermouth ironmonger has opened up the back of its shop as a mini-museum.
JB Banks and Son, in Market Place, which is one of the oldest businesses in the town, has previously only opened the area during heritage open days, but owner Vanessa Graham has decided to open it permanently for visitors and tourists.
The move follows a massive clear-out, during which Mrs Graham uncovered many items she did not know she had.
Staff even found a well on the premises.
She said: “We had so much stuff that we couldn’t see what was here.
“We have labelled everything and we want people to come and experience it, but we still don’t know what a couple of things are so we hope people will come and help us out with those.”
Items on display include old hammers, typewriter, an illustrated history of London, an old Cockermouth sign and various items previously used in the shop.
Mrs Graham said she already had a couple of donations to add to the museum.
She added: “It is still very much work in progress and it will be another visitor attraction indoors, which we don’t have a lot of around here.”
First published at 19:25, Thursday, 26 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Fantastic idea,when I first moved here we had a proper old school iron monger/smith just off the high st,now gone!i admit i never used him-but i loved the fact he was there & i would often just look around-i love history & it was a link to the past- i thought,such a shame he's no longer there,so its great to read what you are doing-involving the public,great stuff.
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Whenever I come home I always try to visit this shop. Apart from being ensured a welcoming smile the place was to me fascinating and already like a Museum. I hope that it is a huge success for Mrs Graham
Posted by Dave on 30 July 2012 at 01:42