The Smithy was closed in 2020 due to lockdown, then re-opened on Sundays from 12noon to 4pm in 2021 with Objects of Desire. It looked at the different things people collect and their reasons for doing so, with 18 different collections from individuals and museums. During lockdown we invited the public to share their collections with us so we could add to an online exhibition to be enjoyed from the safety and comfort of home!
We are thrilled that the Smithy is now open for 2022 with full opening hours (Saturdays and Sundays 1pm-4pm) with our new exhibition, The Making of St Helens, but we thought you might still enjoy seeing Objects of Desire.
Click on the links below to find out more about other people’s collections!
Collection: Chocolate Packaging 
Collection: Matchboxes 
Collection: Costume Dolls 
Colin’s Collection: Automotive Bulbs and Valves
Mrs Anne Goodison’s Collection: Egyptology
Carol’s Collection: Postcards of the Local Area
Vicky’s Collection: Jem and the Holograms Dolls 
Collection: Miniature Bears 
Collection: Shell Specimens 
Collection: Fans 
If you can’t get to us in person, you can “visit” us online and view the exhibition by clicking on the image below. A virtual rendering of the space will load and then you can click and drag your way around the displays and learn more about the objects by hovering over the little target symbols!
