Throckenholt museum is delighted to open for the first time in three years
Owners of a Throckenholt museum bursting with hundreds of gadgets and historical artefacts are delighted to be reopening for the first time in three years.
They may not have welcomed any visitors to The Museum of Technology: The History of Gadgets and Gizmos, since 2019, but Trevor Cass and Rosie Hourihane certainly haven’t been resting on their laurels.
The couple, who relocated the museum to South Holland in 2016 to showcase their massive collection including early cameras, telephones, computers, televisions and weaponry from the First and Second World Wars, have been busy behind the scenes making more of their ancient artefacts work.
Rosie said: “Our visitors have always been impressed with the fact that when demonstrated, they can see how we managed before the digital age.
“Children who have never experienced old technology are able to see how ‘old’ things worked – most are totally fascinated especially when they can use an old telephone which is probably older than their great-grandparents!”
The museum reopens for four months from Thursday, May 26, and as well as more than 1,500 curiosities dating from 1850 to 1980, other facilities include a large car park, disabled access throughout, tea-room, outdoor picnic area and a community room, which is available to groups for activities including reminiscence sessions.
Visitors will also be able to view the couple’s military Land Rover, which has a new permanent home, and forms one of several new, exciting displays.
“This precious artefact has been undercover since we moved the museum to Throckenholt, so no one, apart from the trustees has seen her,” adds Rosie.
“The vehicle saw action in Northern Ireland in the 1980s. Inside the Landy we are displaying a selection of Military Wireless Sets, which reflect what would have been used during the Second World War and later.
“Trevor has also set up some mics which can pick up signals from amateur radio enthusiasts, giving people an idea of how the wireless set sounded.
“So, all in all, there’s a lot to keep our visitors busy when they come to see us!”
The Museum of Technology was borne out of Trevor’s passion for collecting vintage pieces of technology when he was a child. Rosie persuaded him to put his collection of vintage telephones on display in a redundant showroom at his former business premises and things snowballed from there when they started collecting even more items.
The museum is a not-for-profit registered charity, run entirely by volunteers, with an entrance price of £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.
Opening hours are 10am to 4pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but Rosie says they are happy to open up outside of their normal hours for groups of ten or more. The museum only accepts cash payments.
For more information about its collection visit the website www.museumoftechnology.org.uk