Rhondda Heritage Park Museum has announced the opening of a brand-new, free, interactive exhibition!
Part funded by the Welsh Government Culture Division, the new exhibition features amazing footage from the archives of when coal from the Rhondda powered the world. Over 140 mining and Welsh history artefacts are on display making this the biggest ever exhibition to be held at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum. Combined with the incredible footage, touch screens, quizzes, puzzles and digitalised artefacts, this could arguably be called the definitive exhibition on the history of the South Wales valleys.
The artefacts on display are accompanied by digital touch screens which tell the story of the objects. Visitors can browse through topics such as the Rhondda Coal Rush and the involvement of Rhondda miners in the Spanish Civil War and see these topics brought to life on the big screens with historical news clips. There are timelines, maps, and even more digital artefacts to explore.
Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is based on the footprint of the Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod, near Pontypridd, and the exhibition brings the old coal mine to life as visitors can see its story unfold on screen.
The new exhibition with its vast array of topic is perfect for school visits – there’s even an interactive table where visitors and school groups can take part in quizzes and puzzles.
The range of topics on offer span from 1809 right up to the closure of Tower Colliery, the last deep mine in South Wales in 2008, making it the most comprehensive and fascinating interactive exhibition on mining life and history in South Wales.
Visitors can scroll through the screens at their leisure and all the content is available in English, Welsh, French, German and Chinese. The largest screen also features a British Sign Language element.
Families, schools, and groups are more than welcome to visit – book the unique underground tour, guided by ex-miners to make it a truly entertaining day out!
In addition to the free exhibition, school group can also take part in a variety of hands-on activities including Mrs Thomas’ wash day and much more. For information on our school offer please call 01443 682036.
The exhibition is open now and completely free to view.
Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am – 4.30pm.
