Community-curated exhibition ‘What Makes Monmouth, Monmouth’ tours locally

‘What Makes Monmouth, Monmouth’ exhibition is now at Monmouth Leisure Centre. As part of the exhibitions tour around Monmouth, residents and visitors can now view the collection at the Leisure Centre over the school summer holidays. 

The exhibition will tour different community venues in Monmouth until March 2025. 

A partner exhibition can also be seen at Monmouth Shire Hall until March 31, 2025.

The exhibition is part of Museum Services ‘Dynamic Collections: Opening the Box’ project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Residents from different local communities were invited to ‘open the box’ to the Shire Hall museum’s collection. They chose objects they thought told a story of Monmouth for them and gave their personal stories which are displayed in the ‘What makes Monmouth, Monmouth’ exhibition. The exhibition includes many objects, photographs and paintings that have never been displayed before, connecting us to our rich local history and culture.

Alongside the exhibitions at the Leisure Centre and the Shire Hall this summer, MonLife Museum officers will also hold free family craft activities. The activities are available for all ages, so make this a summer of discovery and pop along to take part. Find out more here: www.monlife.co.uk/events/

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “Thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, donors to the museums, and our volunteers for making this project and exhibition possible. Showcasing the vast history of our towns is vitally important. Our team’s work, along with volunteers, is a true testament to their commitment to keeping local history alive. I’d urge everyone to come along to see ‘What Makes Monmouth, Monmouth’.”

The Shire Hall exhibition is open daily from 11 am to 4pm except for Wednesdays and Sundays (open Sundays during school summer holidays). The touring exhibition can be seen any time during open hours at Monmouth Library and Hwb, and after at Monmouth Leisure centre. Admission is free.

Find out more about exhibitions in Monmouth here: www.monlifecollections.co.uk/projects/dynamic-collections/

If any venues would be interested in hosting the touring exhibition, please contact carolinehaines@monmouthshire.gov.uk 

This post is also available in: Welsh