Museum memory boxes bring local history to life

Visitors across our three leisure centres can discover a little piece of local history during their visit, thanks to our museum memory box project created in partnership with Newark Museum.

Showcasing local stories across our three sites 

The idea began when Newark Museum approached us with a shared ambition to showcase more local heritage and artefacts, particularly in the Sherwood area, while making museum collections more visible, accessible and engaging within everyday community spaces. 

After picking out the best spots for visitors to have a peek, the Newark Museum team began carefully curating each box with artefacts, images and local stories that would bring each mini exhibition to life. Whether visitors are waiting for an activity, heading to the gym or passing through, the boxes offer a chance to pause, take a peek and discover something unexpected. 

Something new to discover throughout the year 

We will rotate the boxes across our three leisure centres on Wednesday 30 September then early January and finally early April. No matter where you visit, you'll be able to see them all.  

Sparking memories, curiosity and conversation 

Our mini exhibitions are continuing to make a fantastic impact across our sites, bringing people together through shared stories, treasured memories and fascinating glimpses into the past. 

Packed with historical items and artefacts, the displays are proving to be much more than just visual exhibits. They are creating meaningful conversations between visitors of all ages, encouraging people to reminisce, learn and connect with one another. 

Stories from our sites 

We recently received some wonderful feedback from a manager at Blidworth, who shared: 

“Two lads in their twenties were having a good look at the box over the weekend. They hadn’t got a clue what the old till was or what tiddlywinks were, so I explained. They were really interested though. Personally, I loved seeing my old Peaches & Cream Barbie in there!” 

Another lovely example came from Newark Sports and Fitness Centre, where a display item prompted a young visitor to stop, look more closely and ask questions.

“She was absolutely fascinated by the old football boot. She was surprised by how different it looked and spent time closely examining it, asking questions and comparing it to the footwear players use today. It was fantastic to see her so engaged and her reaction sparked more conversations as she called her mum over to come and have a look. The museum box encouraged curiosity and helped bring the history of football to life for younger visitors.” 

Moments like these highlight the real value of the museum boxes. They are not only preserving local history but also creating opportunities for learning, storytelling and social interaction. Whether it's recognising a childhood toy, discovering an unfamiliar object, or sharing memories with family and friends, the displays are helping to connect people through conversation and shared experiences. 

Overall, the feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive, with visitors enjoying the opportunity to engage with the collections and learn something new. It is fantastic to see the boxes generating so much interest and helping people of all ages connect with history in a fun, interactive and meaningful way. 

Take a peek next time you visit 

We look forward to hearing more stories and seeing many more conversations sparked by these wonderful displays in the months ahead. 

Don't forget to have a peek in the box before they get changed over on Wednesday 30 September!