About
This page tells you about the progress of a major exhibition renewal project "water and locks" for which the preparatory work is being done. The exhibition will replace an old exhibition on the same theme, in the south west corner of the museum's firt floor. It is a slightly awkward spot, because the left opening falls within it. The existing exhibition is in need of renewal but some of the artifacts and photographs will be re-used in the new exhibition.
Water and Locks is about the engineering of canals and rivers that makes rivers navigable, and canals possible. It will compare and contrast river and canal navigations, explain how water supply is crucial to the design of canals, and demonstrate that simple and time-served structure, the lock, and its operation. It will also cover the role of lock-keepers and the human interest aspects of locks.
There will be graphic panels, including a very large panel, some artifacts that we already have, and an interactive model lock. In addition there will be a flip-book, similar to the two existing flip-books that complement the horse-power and ice-trade exhibitions. This will include more detailed material for which there is insufficient space on the main panels. It is hoped that the paddle-gear post from a Regent's Canal lock, currently in store, will be put on display.
Over several years we have looked at the experiences of other UK museums with model locks. There are fewer examples of success than of failure. A number of models have had to be taken out of service after a few years. These are some of the problems that can arise with lock models:
A model lock installed at the excellent Banbury Museum is thought to be the most successful in the UK, having lasted some years without major repairs having been needed. It is mechanical in operation, with simulated water. It is not finely detailed but has been engineered to be robust and reliable. Our model will be inspired by this one and we are in discussion with the manufacturer of the Banbury Museum model, Robert Farrow Workshops, a firm with very considerable experience in the field. Our lock will be of a wide lock as found in London, rather than a narrow lock as found on the Oxford Canal at Banbury.
We are working with local company 19-77 Design who have been responsible for several impressive museum exhibitions in the London area and elsewhere. Their role will be to design the exhibition, and the panels in particular, in conjunction with the museum and the lock model makers.
We have done most of the design work along with our designers and the design of the panels is now almost complete. The texts are not yet finished. Work has started on design and manufacture of the model lock. The site has largely been prepared with decoration planned for late July, prior to installation, now expected to begin in late summer 2010.
We are working to collect together a number of photographs that will be suitable to use in explaining the message that we want to convey. We have already:
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