Discover the WWII history of the canals this weekend!

26th August 2011

Categories: Modern History News

The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port will be showcasing the canal history of WWII on Monday August 29.

Visitors will be able to see a re-enactment of the wartime cargos at the dock and talk to characters from the 1940s. Additionally they will be able to follow a trail around the museum to find relics of WWII history such as the museum’s concrete boat and see a display telling the story of the canals at war.

Marketing Manager Oliver Briscoe said: “We’ve had a successful series of events this summer and this day will continue the trend. The canals made a great contribution to the war effort but some of the work they did is not well known, so this should be an entertaining and informative day.”

The museum has a regular summer programme of events for families. Additionally visitors can see an exhibition of canal linocut art by Eric Gaskell and crochet work by the museum’s award winning group. Forthcoming events include a Beer Festival on October 7 to 9.

The National Waterways Museum, at Ellesmere Port, is home to the national collection of historic working boats, some of which visitors can board to explore and find out how the working boat people used to live.  The Museum also has a trip boat, hands-on exhibits, films, touch-screen displays, stables, a blacksmith, docks, pump houses, workers cottages and gardens, an archive, a soft play area, Museum shop and cafe.