1950s museum in North Wales wins English hearts

The 1950s Museum in Denbigh, North Wales is attracting increasing visitor numbers to explore its captivating home, fashion, style and motor exhibits from the 1950s and beyond with many making the trip over the border from Liverpool and other areas of the North West.

Curated by Sparrow Harrison MBE and a band of trusty volunteers, the museum got off to a flying start to the 2023 season and is welcoming fame and notoriety as a ‘throwback’ in time. Popular with both the young and the young at heart, visitors from England are describing it as one of the ‘gems’ of North Wales.

Sparrow has nothing but good vibes for the future and says, "The public love the museum. It is such a rare find and it deserves the rich acclaim it receives. People marvel at the memories it evokes and enjoy sharing those memories with their families and friends.

"We have so many exhibits that fascinate our visitors, from classic cars, sport, music, film, music and crime memorabilia. The museum is an amenity for the benefit of generations to come. It is important for us to remember our past; and this museum encapsulates much of the history that made us what we are today.  It is becoming popular with social media followers for its eccentricity – and for people who want a destination venue with a difference!"

The museum takes people on a journey back in time.  It is filled with a huge collection of artefacts which have been added to over the past 30 years it has been open. Some of the artefacts date back to the 1960s and 1940s as well, such as one of the main exhibits - the getaway vehicle for the Great Train Robbery.

But it is mostly an immersion into life in the 1950s that is on offer with items ranging from a pink Cadillac to a wall to floor collection of old cigarette cartons and smoking memorabilia.  A Ford Fiesta owned by former hostess Christine Keeler (the Profumo Affair) is also part of the selection of retro-memorabilia.
 

The 1950s Museum started off as a car park full of fancy cars and it had just one small building dedicated to the collection. Most of the motor exhibits were tragically lost in a fire but the museum rose from the ashes because of donations from businesses and members of the public.

The museum is still entirely interactive. The objects are not behind glass, visitors can pick things up and really immerse themselves in the different sections that represent different parts of the 1950s.

Says Sparrow, ‘People find the museum a memory-jogger to a past life and it brings people alive to see the objects from their past.  It is magical to see.’

Adults are encouraged to donate £7.50 to access the museum, with concessions for children and groups. The museum is open every day from 11am to 4pm. Enquiries can be made via Facebook The 1950s Museum, Denbigh or by calling 01745 817004.