Find Out 'What's in Store' at STEAM

STEAM's new "What’s in Store" exhibition gives visitors the chance to do take a sneak peek behind the scenes.

'What’s In Store' is open every day and can be found in the Special Exhibition area of the Museum, close to STEAM’s recreated Station Platform. 

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Collection of Geological Specimens is among the many surprises to be found at the exhibition.

Cllr Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture said: “What’s in Store is a refreshing opportunity to explore a range of unusual and rare historical objects from the STEAM Collection. Carefully conserved in the Museum’s stores, these items are now on show for all to see and many are on public display for the first time. I am sure this new exhibition will appeal to anyone interested in social and railway history and times gone by.”

More highlights include a restored chair from Swindon’s Medical Fund Society, an 1850s cast iron lion’s head from a GWR station building and an abstract oil painting of Paddington Station by Margaret Neve.

Elaine Arthurs, Assistant Curator at STEAM said:  “We had a lot of fun creating this exhibition as we have such a fantastic range of interesting and unique objects in store that do not currently fit in with STEAM’s main story-telling displays. This exhibition is a great way for us to show visitors the range of fascinating objects we hold in the Museum’s Collection.

“What’s In Store also tells the stories behind the objects and explains how and why we collected them. For instance, the exhibition includes a 1920s GWR Ink Well Stand and this valuable piece was found in one of Swindon’s charity shops in 2011 by an eagle-eyed STEAM volunteer!

For more information click here or call STEAM on 01793 466646.