40 Years, 40 Objects

Exhibition at the Museum of Oxford

      Photograph © Museum of Oxford

Two weeks ago a special opening was held at the Museum of Oxford for the new ‘40 Years, 40 Objects’ exhibition. The event was an opportunity for all the people who donated objects to this community-curated display to have a peek preview of all forty exhibits.

Amongst the guests was Sebastian Blake, Sustainability Assistant at Brookes, who donated a model of the BROOKESbus to represent Brookes’ commitment to sustainable travel and to providing community services.

      Photograph © Museum of Oxford

Also on display is ‘Time to Talk: Digital Storytelling in the Ley’, which shares the stories of Greater Leys and Blackbird Leys residents. The project was developed by Jeni Burnell of Brookes’ Centre for Development and Emergency Practice.

The exhibition marks the 40^th anniversary of the Museum of Oxford. It opened in 1975, bringing together a diverse collection reflecting the rich history of the city and people of Oxford. Since 2012 the Museum’s refurbished Explore Oxford galleries have presented this history in a new, engaging way, with added space for temporary exhibitions and events.

The current exhibition makes the most of this space, offering a unique take on Oxford’s recent history with items ranging from a model of the Cadena café to remains of the Cuttleslowe Walls. The display also includes a statue of the Hindu god Ganesha on loan from the British Museum, sitting alongside others donated by the Oxford Hindu community.

      Photograph © Museum of Oxford

As the Museum of Oxford celebrates 40 years with 40 objects, Brookes has been celebrating its 150^th anniversary with a book of 150 stories, which can also be seen – and flicked through – as part of the exhibition.


40 Years, 40 Objects is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, until 20 February 2016 at the Museum of Oxford. Admission is free.