An exhibition capturing 1950s Keswick through community memories, photographs, and objects.

In early 2024, Keswick Museum initiated 1950s Keswick — a community-based exhibition that would bring together photographs, objects and memories of Keswick and the surrounding area during the 1950s.

The photographs were generously submitted by the local community following a public call out from the museum via posters and social media posts. A ‘scanning day’ held at the museum invited groups and individuals to bring in their photographs and share their memories, while a digital submission enabled those from further afield to contribute their images too. Over 20 people contributed to the exhibition — from individuals who grew up in the area during the 1950s and those who had inherited family collections; to others who had been gifted albums found at car boot sales or bought boxes of slides at auctions.

Together, through photos of local trades, characters, fashion, events and activities, the images built up a picture of what life was like in 1950s Keswick.

Thank You Event

Following the success of the exhibition and scanning day, which saw community members come together to share their photographs, the museum held a thank you event for the individuals who contributed their personal images, memories and time to making the exhibition possible. A screening of ‘The Jewel of Lakeland’ from the North West Film Archive, comprising of archive footage and commentary from Keswick during the 1950s, was shown and brought to life particular areas and events that were featured in the exhibition such as Keswick Sports Day and Fitz Park.

It’s good that the museum is reaching out to the local community.

— Visitor Feedback

Acknowledgements

With thanks to all the volunteers and contributors who made this exhibition possible.

North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University