Are you a 1950s fan - The Box, Plymouth

By: Jo Clarke
Added: 28 February 2017

If you’re a fan of the 1950s you may be able to help the City Museum and Art Gallery with its latest exhibition.

Staff are currently putting the finishing touches to a new show called ‘Britain in the Fifties: Design and Aspiration’ which will open at the Council House as part of its ‘Museum on Tour’ programme in late March.

The bulk of the exhibition is on a national tour from Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwick but the Museum is looking for a few key objects to complete it.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of staging an exhibition about the 1950s in an authentic 1950s building,” said exhibition coordinator, Hilary Bracegirdle. “’Britain in the Fifties’ looks at all aspects of design from the decade and includes a diverse range of objects, but a few of the original items weren’t able to travel. If anyone has or knows of a 1950s settee, sitting room chairs, a display cabinet or rug we’d love to hear from them.”

Another object the Museum is looking for is an iconic Helix sideboard. Designed by David Booth, made by Gordon Russell Ltd in 1950 and first featured at the famous Festival of Britain in 1951, the sideboard is a classic example of how industrial design can also be beautiful. 

‘Britain in the Fifties: Design and Aspiration’ opens at the Council House on Saturday 25 March and runs until Saturday 3 June. Exhibition opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and admission is free.

If you can help with any of these items – and especially if you can remember buying them new – please email hilary.bracegirdle@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304774.

More information about the ‘Museum on Tour’ programme is available from www.plymhearts.org

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Notes for editors:

For more information, photographs or interview opportunities call Jo Clarke on 01752 306228 or email jo.clarke@plymouth.gov.uk.