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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Lisajj on Monday 07 August 23 16:51 BST (UK)
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Hi all
Recently my mother in law passed away and we are in process of getting rid of "stuff".
We have a collection of items dating back to the 1960's which are in very good condition and it seems a shame to throw them out. Dressing table, set of drawers, 1963 electric blanket to name a few.
Does anyone know of any museum (apart from the Black Country Living Museum as they don't need them) that may be interested in the items?
Many thanks
Lisa
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Hi Lisa,
I was sorting out the attic during lockdown, so much stuff and a lot of it not mine.
When my husbands parents died and he emptied the family home it was all moved to his and his brothers houses and never dealt with.
Before lockdown my son was an actor and had been taken to a props and costume business several times re the productions he was in.
I just wanted rid of the ‘stuff’ but couldn’t bear to bin it so gave loads of things to the one man band owner.
She was delighted with the hoover junior, hostess warming plate, old prints, E.P.N.S tea/coffee set etc. as they made brilliant props :D
All the best with the sorting,
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Museum of the Home; based in London might be interested or offer advice as to who you could approach.
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I suspect that most museums have more “stuff” than they can cope with and many donations, if they do want them, are destined for some storeroom never to be seen again. The museum at Beamish has just set up a 60s area so you could try them but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
The store of never ending gubbins at the National Railway Museum is a fascinating visit but after a friend of mine tried to donate a camera they didn’t have on display to the National Media Museum (or whatever it was called at the time) the curator took him to the storeroom to show him the dozen or so they already had.
SWMBO had a similar experience some years ago when she was closing down a local hospital. She offered the local museum an operating table (polished copper - not the modern type) which had been given to the hospital by some previous king. They not only didn’t want it but they refused to return her ‘phone calls until she sought the intervention of an old school friend who just happened to be the leader of the County Council.
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Does the maker of the blanket have a museum?
Our local hospice has a furniture shop as does the YMCA locally. That might be an option for you.
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I work in a museum. We have dressed buildings, but nothing that needs 1960s stuff I'm afraid. Like Ray T says, we and other museums I know do have far more stuff than we know what to do with; there is always far more in storage than on display.
That said, there is a Museum Freecycle group where museums offer and request stuff they need, so you could perhaps post on there.
If you are near the Black County Museum, you could try Avoncroft in Bromsgrove?
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Why dont you sell it on line if no Museum wants it.
(Obviously the electric banket cant be reused as may be a fire hazard)
Plenty of people love retro stuff and it would go to a good home to be enjoyed :)
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You may want to try here:
https://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/leicestershire
A lot of the younger generation like retro stuff to upcycle, if you get no interest you can put it on the "Freebies" Page.
Carol
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Some of the Charities have furniture warehouses where they sell House Clearance items to raise funds.
My local Hospice has such a facility.