Exhibition looks at change in children’s lives

Exhibition looks at change in children’s lives

19 December 2018

DOWN County Museum opened an exhibition on childhoods from yesteryear last Friday. 

The exhibition entitled, When We Were Young, looks at how much children’s lives have been transformed over the past 200 years.

In the past, childhood was short and children were introduced to the harsh realities of the adult world with little time left over for fun or learning, in contrast to today. 

When We Were Young explores the creation of the concept of childhood and charts the changes that heralded an improvement in our schools and homes. 

The exhibition has children’s toys and games on display and shows some young prisoners in the old Gaol of Down and how children coped during wartime.  

Children’s clothing is also on display with objects ranging from Victorian and Edwardian baby clothes, to twentieth century school uniforms.

Santa’s Grotto will be open from 10am to 5pm. It is part of the Christmas themed artisan market which will feature plenty of seasonal goodies to purchase, children’s arts and crafts and music. The market will be on from 11am to 9pm.

The chairman of Newry. Mourne and Down Council, Mr Mark Murnin, said: “This exhibition provides a fascinating insight into how attitudes to childhood have changed over time.

“In addition, the exhibition is sure to evoke many memories of the toys and games we all had and will provide a great day out for families from grandparents to little ones.

“I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the exhibition.”