“Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be” nevertheless the past can be a cosy and comforting place. I was reminded of this recently when I was telling a friend about Larkhill Place. It’s a reproduction of a Victorian street in Salford Museum and Art Gallery.
Lark Hill Place was originally created in 1957 when many shops and houses in central Salford were being demolished to make way for new developments. Some of the shop fronts that were saved restored and interiors were added with f authentic objects, recreating the way they were used in Victorian times.
Here along the street are Mathew Tomlinson's General Store, a music shop, printers, pub, smithy and wheelwright as well as the chemist and druggist and dressmaker.
Today such theme places are more common than they were in 1957 and there is a danger that they present a sanitized interpretation of the past. The real noises smells and unwashed humanity are missing from the streets as is the dirt and ever present evidence of poverty.
But as an introduction particularly for children it is first rate. A good starting point is the museum’s own site at http://services.salford.gov.uk/larkhillplace/
Picture; the interior of one up one down cottage, in Larkhill Place, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Lark Hill Place was originally created in 1957 when many shops and houses in central Salford were being demolished to make way for new developments. Some of the shop fronts that were saved restored and interiors were added with f authentic objects, recreating the way they were used in Victorian times.
Here along the street are Mathew Tomlinson's General Store, a music shop, printers, pub, smithy and wheelwright as well as the chemist and druggist and dressmaker.
Today such theme places are more common than they were in 1957 and there is a danger that they present a sanitized interpretation of the past. The real noises smells and unwashed humanity are missing from the streets as is the dirt and ever present evidence of poverty.
But as an introduction particularly for children it is first rate. A good starting point is the museum’s own site at http://services.salford.gov.uk/larkhillplace/
Picture; the interior of one up one down cottage, in Larkhill Place, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
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