Brand-new at Milestones Living History Museum in Basingstoke this summer, discover the extraordinary in the everyday with Wash Day, a display of washing through the ages. Wash Day forms part of the exciting summer offer at Milestones, which sees the cobbled streets come to life with characters of the past.
Wash Day is the first display to take place in the newly renovated air raid shelter and comprises of a selection of the previously popular Collections Corner display. Wash Day will take visitors on a journey of wash days through the ages and covers washing, drying and ironing, sharing a history of domestic living alongside household gems. The exhibition is the first of the new temporary exhibitions to be hosted at the top end of the museum and will be followed other domestic exhibitions of much-loved items previously displayed at Milestones Museum. All the senses are catered for with objects on display from the collection cared for by Hampshire Cultural Trust bringing the story of wash days gone by to life, alongside a range of themed soundscapes and even smells.
Visitors are encouraged to have a go at the new Wash Day trail, too – taking them on a journey through the museum finding objects and earning prizes.
Alongside Wash Day, the streets of Milestones will be inhabited by characters of a bygone era donning their finest uniforms and taking on roles you would expect to see in a town from the past. Visitors can take part in a home guard drill, browse the wares of a Victorian shopkeeper, scrub up nicely for the laundress and learn all about World War II air raids with the ARP warden. Little ones can even try on costumes to look the part, too!
Families can also take part in fun and games on the seaside pier, pick up your ration at the 1940s sweet shop, see the collection vehicles of the past and much more!
For more information and to book tickets, please visit https://www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/.