#MyMuseum
This virtual exhibition tells your story. It captures objects or collections you have at home that are special to you. The exhibition started during Lockdown in March 2020 and continues to grow. Do you have a collection at home that tells a unique story or an object that holds sentimental value? If so, please get in touch for a chance for a chance to be featured museum@rbwm.gov.uk.
Bags for life
This collection of 54 Canvas bags started when Suzie bought a few from her travels. Her family and friends started to give them as gifts and the collection just grew, and continues to grow. The collection reminds her of the places she has been and the people she cares for. They are also better than using a box when you move house!
Crystal tale
This intaglio engraved cigarette holder was made by Stephanie’s Grandfather. At 18 he became an apprentice at Steven’s & William’s (later Royal Brierley Crystal). Three of these intaglio engraved holders were made as prototypes. One was sent to George VI, another went to Saudi Arabia and the other was left on her Grandfather’s workbench in 1939 when the Second World War broke out.
Her Grandfather was called up to serve in the war, was taken as a prisoner of war and was gassed, but by some miracle survived his ordeal. On returning to work in 1947, this piece was still on his workbench, so he took it home!
Art in miniature
This postcard collection comprises of over 150 postcards and prints belonging to Kerrstyn. Her collection started at a young age and evolved from pictures of places to primarily beautiful artworks at exhibitions visited on her travels. As it is unlikely she will ever own a Monet, Chagall or Hockney, she enjoys having miniatures to look at and display.
A pretty pair
This beautiful pair of vases were left to Samantha by her Grandmother who died in 2010, aged 100. They were made by the Stoke-on-Trent china manufacturers, Pointon & Co Ltd., over 140 years ago, so have been in her family many years. They have an attractive shape and the design is typical of this period, although they still retain a contemporary feel.
A spoonful of memories
This collection of 55 spoons were bought as a souvenir from places Alison or her friends visited. Her favourites are the more ornate spoons such as the kiwi with the spiral stem and the tankard from Salzburg which opens. Most of the spoons have plain bowls but some have been engraved on. They do tarnish quickly so regular cleaning is required to keep them shining!
Poetical pebbles
This collection of stones once belonged to the Armenian poet, writer, social activist & humanist, Hovhannes Toumanian. The poet had three unique collections comprising of 250 types of mineral stones and rocks all named and described in detail. www.toumanian.am
Your carriage awaits
This Landau carriage was built in 1860. It was bought new by Sir Daniel Gooch of Clewer, Windsor and became a Hackney Carriage on The Long Walk since 1890. Rebecca is the owner of Windsor Carriages and is embarking on a project of restoration so that it can be returned into service once again. www.windsorcarriages.co.uk/landau
Moomin around
This collection of Arabia Moomin mugs have been acquired by Karen over the years. She bought her first ones when she visited Helsinki in 2014, Tove Jansson’s centenary year. Especially lovely are the seasonal mugs, which are issued twice a year, just in time to be her Christmas and birthday presents!
Mapping history
Historic maps can tell us so much about the history and development of an area over time. These beautifully hand-drawn maps are by Michael Bayley and form part of Alex’s map collection. Bayley was an architect in Maidenhead, one of the founders of Maidenhead Civic Society, a veteran of the Second World War and an expert on waterways and etymology. Alex loves folklore, myth and legend so his favourite map is naturally the Folklore and legend map. He would love to explore the stories hidden on there one day!
Expat treasures
These 1950’s objects hold special memories for Barbara. The brass plaque belonged to her mother who polished it every week. The gong is still in use today, and she acquired the sculpture of a Masai woman while living in Kenya 30 years ago.
A father’s gift
Meet Merlin, a pewter statuette bought by Louisa’s father as a gift on a visit he made to Tintagel Castle, Cornwall circa 1990. He is special to her because her father bought him for her, they have family history in Cornwall and she is rather fond of myths and legends. He has lived on her dressing table and bookshelves ever since.
Pewter mythical figurines like these with a colourful cut glass crystal ball were fashionable in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Writing from the war
Becky’s great, great grandfather wrote this memoir likely whilst he was interned at Alexandra Palace as an ‘enemy alien’ during the First World War. In the early 1900s, he moved from Bavaria to work in London as a watchmaker. However, in 1915, a year into the First World War, the British government declared that all men of military age who lived in Britain but were citizens of the enemy states would be interned.
His memoir offers words Becky finds inspiring today, including ‘kindness proves to me, to be the only method by which the world can be conquered’. You can read more about his story and civilian internment here: https://thepastalivetoday.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/enemy-aliens-in-first-world-war-britain-4/
We hope you have enjoyed our first online exhibition
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