Mansfield Museum steps into the Threads of Time

A new free exhibition has opened at Mansfield Museum and if anyone still has the suit they or a member of their family wore as a bridegroom years ago, the venue would love to hear from you.

The exhibition, Threads of Time, runs until Saturday 12 October and will showcase some treasures from the museum’s collection of costume and textiles.

Highlights on show include a Women’s Suffrage banner from before the First World War, dresses representing a century of Mansfield weddings, and theatre costume designs by renowned designers Carl Toms OBE, and Alan Tagg.

The curator of the exhibition is Anja Thompson-Rohde, Collections and Interpretation Officer at the museum. She said: “The items on show reveal fascinating stories and bring to life some of the people who lived and worked in the district before us.

“However, there are also stories which aren’t represented by the current collection, and we would be very happy if the exhibition prompts offers of donation which help tell those stories. We’d love some items of men’s occasion wear, for instance  - we have lots of wedding dresses but not one single item worn by a bridegroom.

“We are also particularly interested in historic everyday clothing, as opposed to items worn for special events, and items which tell stories from our diverse communities.”

Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “Mansfield Museum has some fantastic items of social history in its extensive collection which reflect the district’s heritage of making clothing. These items remain in storage most of the time so it’s great that exhibitions such as this are able to bring some of these artefacts out from time to time for their moment in the spotlight.

“Along with the dinosaurs exhibition which is currently running at the museum, this exhibition is free and runs throughout the school summer holidays so visitors can get a double delight of adventure at the museum at this time.”

Anyone who may have items to donate should email Anja at athompsonrohde@mansfield.gov.uk or telephone the museum on 01623 463088. They are asked not to bring items without contacting the museum first.