An estimated 10,000 people have visited the Steel Stories exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds since opening just four weeks ago.
The interactive exhibition showcases the region’s steel making history and features real artefacts and photos, many of them loaned by local people, which tell the stories of the steel workers who shaped our industrial heritage.
Taking over a large section of the museum, Steel Stories includes archive films, a recreation of locker room throughout the decades, a 3D printed model of the Redcar blast furnace and much more.
10,000 visitors
The museum staff have been logging visitor numbers and are thrilled with the exhibition’s popularity.
Lesley Strickland, Head of Culture & Tourism for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We were confident there would be a lot of local interest in Steel Stories, but 10,000 visitors in a month is incredible.
“We’ve received lots of compliments from people and ex-steel workers in particular have been very supportive.
“With the Bank Holiday approaching, families in the region will be looking for something to do, so why not come along to Steel Stories? It’s perfect for children as it’s so interactive and it’ll give families, many of whom will have connections to the steel industry, a chance to learn more about our heritage.”
History kept alive
Professor Natasha Vall, Associate Dean (Research & Innovation) in Teesside University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, said: “This exhibition is helping to ensure that history is kept alive, so it is heartening to see so much interest in it already since it opened.
“The stories touch so many people across Teesside.”
The exhibition is free of charge and will be on display at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, TS10 5NW until April 2020.
Partners
Steel Stories is directly funded by the Lottery Heritage Fund, the SSI Task Force: Legacy Projects and Tees Valley Museums. The Project is in direct partnership with Teesside University, and has received additional support from British Steel, Primetals, South Tees Development Corporation, North East Film Archive and Materials Processing Institute, as well as many groups and individuals as part of a wider Project steering group.
