More than 2,000 people have visited Melton Carnegie Museum to open a window to past and view its latest exhibition - “25 Years On! – Revisiting the Millennium Collections.”
The exhibition is made up of more than, 300 objects; all saved within the public museum collection and acting as a unique time capsule.
The collection came together at the turn of the millennium, when Leicestershire County Council’s museum service asked families, community groups, local businesses, and organisations to donate an object that told a story about life at the turn of the millennium.
Now, a generation later, the museum is revisiting those collections to explore how much has changed and how much has stayed the same, over the past 25 years.
Visitors have already enjoyed everything from early mobile phones, printed telephone directories and a European road atlas.
Sporting memorabilia is also featured, with contributions from Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Leicester Tigers, and Leicester City Football Club. The items sit alongside community contributions, reflecting family life, local business, and the early days of the digital age.
Alongside the quarter-of-a-century old items, there’s also a look at how technology, sport, and community life have advanced and shaped Leicestershire since 2000.
Many of the objects that once seemed ordinary, now offer a nostalgic glimpse into the recent past, while others such as vinyl records and sustainable products have made a comeback.
This exhibition is a real celebration of local memories and embodies communities’ contributions from across the county.
“It feels amazing that 25 years has gone so quickly and it’s fascinating to see these items, and how far we’ve advanced in the time that has passed. I’d encourage anyone who wants a trip down memory lane to visit the exhibition that acts as a time capsule and discover how Leicestershire looked, lived, and worked at the start of the 21st century.”
Person:Councillor Kevin Crook, deputy leader and cabinet member for heritage
Melton Carnegie Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4.30pm, and the 25 Years On – Revisiting the Millenium Collections exhibition runs until Saturday 21 February, with free entry for all visitors.
For more information about the exhibition and upcoming museum events, visit the Melton Museum website.