A History of Ancient House in 100 Objects
Last Friday 22 November was a special day for members of the community involved in the creation of a fascinating new exhibition at Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life.
A History of Ancient House in 100 Objects has been curated by local schools and community groups who gathered to see the results of their hard work go on display.
The exhibition, which opened to the public the following day, features 100 objects selected by the groups from the museum collections – from a 100,000-year-old hand axe to a 1990s Skid Lid bike helmet, and anything and everything in between!
Each group has chosen ten items which came into the museum collection during each decade the museum has been open, from the 1920s to the 2020s. Delving into the museum archives, the community curators researched hundreds of objects to come up with their final shortlists.
The resulting displays contain a huge range of objects from the ancient to the modern, from the humble to the elaborate, and from the famous to the obscure. What unites them is they are all, in their own way, ‘treasure’.
Throughout the day museum staff greeted the different groups who were excited to see their objects on display, alongside the reasons behind their choices printed on special interpretation ‘paddles’.
Also attending to formally welcome the groups and open the exhibition were: Colin Stott, Head of Learning (East and West), Norfolk Museums Service; Cllr Robert Kybird, Breckland Council and Chair of the Breckland Area Museums Committee and Cllr John Ward, Chair of the Norfolk Joint Museums Committee.
The groups attending the opening were from: Drake Primary School, Thetford; Norwich Road Academy, Thetford; Breckland Society; Friends of Ancient House Museum; Knit and Knatter group; Pinetree Art Group; Home Educators group; Ancient House History Club and Teenage History Club.
Museum Curator, Oliver Bone, said: “It was a special day, welcoming our community curators who have worked so hard to select their objects. It’s been fascinating and instructive to hear why certain objects have appealed to different people. Ancient House Museum has always been rooted in the local community, so we’re delighted that our centenary exhibition has centred the thoughtful responses of local people to our rich collections.”
A History of Ancient House in 100 Objects exhibition kicks off a year of celebrations as the museum marks the centenary of its opening on 11th December 1924. The exhibition and the centenary celebrations are supported by National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside support from Breckland Council, Thetford Town Council and the Friends of Ancient House Museum.
A History of Ancient House in 100 Objects is on display at the museum for a year until 29 November 2025.
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