Hackney,
09
February
2015
|
14:35
Europe/London

Hackney@50: exhibition marks 50 years of the borough's history

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Hackney@50: The People's Choice exhibition

Hackney Museum

12 February to 29 August 2015

A teenager’s Victorian diary and an ancient fossil excavated in Stoke Newington are just two of the fascinating items in an exhibition marking Hackney @50.

In 1965, the London boroughs of Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington merged to form what is today known as the London Borough of Hackney.

In April, Hackney will turn the big 50 and to mark this milestone, 50 objects with 50 stories are on display as part of a conversation about what Hackney means to local people. The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary through the objects on display weaving a tapestry of the rich and diverse voices in Hackney today.

Fifty local individuals, organisations, groups and schools across Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington have selected an object either from Hackney Museum's collection or loaned their own to share what Hackney means to them. Each object tells a different story and Hackney Museum wants people who live, work and learn in the borough to join the conversation.

The diaries of a Victorian teenager, chosen by Hackney libraries’ Reading Activists tells the story of, 16 year old Lizzie Hudson, who lived in Dalston between 1871 and 1879. Her diaries give us the chance to peek into her life giving a fascinating insight into what being young women in Hackney in the 1870s was like.

A brass tiffin brought to Hackney from India in 1946 gives a glimpse into the lives of the family who brought it with them and what they went on to achieve; personal memories of African-Caribbean families using a paraffin heater in the 1960s and 1970s before double-glazing and central heating are shared alongside a poster showing Hackney’s strong boxing links.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council
This charming exhibition tells the story of Hackney @50 from the perspective of the people who live, work and go to school here. It is a fascinating glimpse into Hackney’s past through a myriad of objects that all have significance to the people who chose them. 

“We want everyone to get involved with the exhibition by telling us what item they’d choose to reflect what Hackney means to them.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council

Anyone can join the conversation by visiting the exhibition and suggesting an object they would share, or tweet selecting from the 3000 plus items already on Hackney Museum’s online catalogue, or, one of their items own using #Hackney50.

Search Hackney Museum's collection online.

Families are also invited to Join artist Harriet Murray and make magnificent masterpieces or surprising sculptures that represent Hackney and see them displayed in the Hackney@50 exhibition.

Hackney@50 Family Day

Wednesday 18th February

10.30-12.30 and 2pm-4pm

Free family drop-in workshops

Museum opneing timesTues, Wed and Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm

Thurs 9.30am – 8pm

Sat 10am – 5pm

Sun, Mon and Public Holidays Closed

Free Admission