The National Civil War Centre is stepping beyond its walls. Through our new Outreach Cases project, museum displays will appear in community venues across Newark and Sherwood, each one filled with objects from our collections that connect directly to the lives, memories, and voices of the people who live here.

These cases aren’t just exhibitions; they’re conversations. Every object tells a real story from our district, celebrating the heritage, creativity, resilience, and everyday experiences that shape our communities. By placing these stories where people already gather, we hope to spark curiosity, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging.

This is history on your doorstep - shared, visible, and alive.

Venues & Displays (June – October)

• Ollerton - Dukeries Sport and Leisure Centre: Music
• Edwinstowe - Sherwood Art and Craft Centre: Holidays
• Blidworth – Blidworth Leisure Centre: Toys and Games
• Newark - Newark Sport and Fitness Centre: Football

Display information

Music

In the decades following the end of World War 2, Britain saw a revolution in popular culture and a greater sense of freedom for the younger generation.

The items on display here reflect those heady days in Nottinghamshire, when going out to enjoy live music was something on offer in venues and miners’ institutes in towns like Mansfield, Worksop and Ollerton, just as much as it was in nearby cities.

Just imagine listening to your favourite record whilst getting all dolled up for a Saturday night out on the town. Maybe you’d drop by the Miner’s Institute or jump on the bus and head to Mansfield or Worksop and take a look what was on at the ABC or the Palais.

Did you know that in 1963 an up-and-coming group called The Beatles played at the Granada in Mansfield? And the rest, as they say, is history.

But Ollerton’s Miner’s Institute was none too shabby either. Locally, it was known as the ‘The Palladium of the Midlands”

Holidays

Nowadays trips are taken throughout the year, often to coincide with school holidays, but in years gone by it was the annual summer holiday that families enjoyed. Local companies and Miners Associations organised trips to holidays resorts such as Butlins in well-loved destinations like Skegness and Bridlington.

The family camera would always get a good airing too. With photos on the train, on the beach, at the fairground. Of course, you had to wait a couple of weeks to get your holiday snaps back from the chemists. But what delicious anticipation – waiting to see if you had captured the perfect memory or if everyone had the tops of their heads chopped off again.

Football

Sport and games have always been a key part of community life.

From school and amateur teams, to going to see professional, county or local clubs play.

Football, in particular, is deeply rooted in Nottinghamshire. Our county boasts some of the oldest teams in footballing history. Many of us have fond memories of games where the freezing weather of the midwinter season is rivalled only by players’ and supporters’ burning passion for the game.

The items here offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of community football, which can be found in local museum collections, harking back to days when local sports teams were a key part of community and working life.

Toys

Even in these digital times, that personal connection with toys and games can’t be beaten. Very often the objects which attract us when we are young reflect something about who we become later and the memories they spark, the stories they tell, can be both sentimental and emotive.

Our collections hold a wealth of childhood items from past decades and here are a few that will interest children of all ages.
The items on display cover aspects of playtime in the twentieth century. From well-loved games to favourite vehicles, from playing shops to absolute classics.

How these items from the past compare with the toys and games you have at home?

Our Collection

If you would like further information on this project, have any questions or queries about the displays or would like to talk to the Collections Team about donating an item of local history, please contact Newark and Sherwood Museum Service.

Rachel Fannen

Collections and Exhibitions Officer

rachel.fannen@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk