Erewash Museum has won the ‘Best Exhibition’ award at the Renaissance Heritage Awards held recently at Bakewell Old House Museum in Derbyshire.
The highly prestigious award was won for the outstanding Stanton Ironworks and fine art exhibition held earlier this year at Erewash Museum. Helen Martinez, Museum Service Manager was presented with the award by Sarah Levitt, Head of Arts and Museum Service at Leicester City Council.
The judges were impressed by the impact on the local community and the degree of interest and involvement the exhibition aroused. The judges enjoyed the archive film footage and applauded the commitment to making the exhibition a permanent feature at the museum. They added that it was important that the Stanton Ironworks were remembered, as it was such an important part of the lives of local people, and also recognised on an international scale. The staff were congratulated by the judges for the excellent improvements they have made to the museum in such a short period of time.
The awards supported by Renaissance East Midlands are now in their fourth year and recognise excellence in museums and heritage. The awards ceremony celebrates the achievement of the county’s museums and heritage collections and this award confirms Erewash Museum as a high quality venue, providing great days out for all the family.
Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“The ‘Stanton Ironworks’ is an impressive exhibition providing an important point of historical interest for the local and wider community. I am delighted that Erewash Museum has won this prestigious award for ‘Best Exhibition’ at the Derbyshire Heritage Awards and I would like to thank all the staff and residents for their excellent support of the museum.”
Anyone wanting more information on the summer programme at Erewash Museum should contact 0115 907 1141 or log on to www.erewashmuseum.co.uk.
Erewash Museum is just off the High Street in Ilkeston Town centre, a short walk from the Market Place. Admission is free and it is open Monday to Saturday from 10am-4pm during school holidays and Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at other times. The Stanton Ironworks exhibition can be viewed by the public when the museum is open.
