1950s Museum Denbigh Increases Visitor Numbers

The 1950s Museum – at Denbigh, North Wales – is attracting increasing visitor numbers to explore its captivating home, fashion, style and motor exhibits as the museum is benefitting from increased marketing and ‘mixed weather’ which has boosted the footfall for indoor attractions.

Curated by Sparrow Harrison MBE – and a band of trusty volunteers – the museum got off to a flying start to the 2023 season and is welcoming fame and notoriety as a ‘throwback’ in time. Popular with both the young and the young at heart, visitors are describing it as one of the ‘gems’ of North Wales.

After a re-launch in the Spring of this year – when the museum became a private enterprise – it has gone from strength to strength attracting the local community and those on short breaks to the area. Sparrow has nothing but good vibes for the future. Says Sparrow, ‘The public love the museum. It is such a rare find and it deserves the rich acclaim it receives. People marvel at the memories it evokes and enjoy sharing those memories with their families and friends.’

‘We have so many exhibits that fascinate our visitors, from classic cars, sport, music, film, music and crime memorabilia. The museum is an amenity for the benefit of generations to come. It is important for us to remember our past; and this museum encapsulates much of the history that made us what we are today. It is becoming popular with social media followers for its eccentricity – and for people who want a destination venue with a difference!’

The museum takes people on a journey back in time. It is filled with a huge collection of artefacts which have been added to over the past 30 years it has been open. Some of the artefacts date back to the 1960s and 1940s as well, such as one of the main exhibits – the getaway vehicle for the Great Train Robbery.

But it is mostly an immersion into life in the 1950s that is on offer with items ranging from a pink Cadillac to a wall to floor collection of old cigarette cartons and smoking memorabilia. A Ford Fiesta owned by former hostess Christine Keeler (the Profumo Affair) is also part of the selection of retro-memorabilia.

The 1950s Museum started off as a car park full of fancy cars and it had just one small building dedicated to the collection. Most of the motor exhibits were tragically lost in a fire but the museum rose from the ashes because of donations from businesses and members of the public.

The museum is still entirely interactive. The objects are not behind glass, visitors can pick things up and really immerse themselves in the different sections that represent different parts of the 1950s.

Says Sparrow, ‘People find the museum a memory-jogger to a past life and it brings people alive to see the objects from their past. It is magical to see.’

Adults are encouraged to donate £7.50 to access the museum, with concessions for children and groups. The museum is open every day from 11am to 4pm. Enquiries can be made via Facebook The 1950s Museum, Denbigh or by calling 01745 817004.

The museum story told by Sparrow Harrison himself …

The 50s museum is open again.
After being closed for three months it is now back in the hands of its owner and founder Sparrow Harrison MBE.
This quirky museum has become one of the main tourist attractions in North Wales.
It shows how much life has changed since the 50s.
It has areas to crime focusing on the Krays and the Great Train Robbery, Sparrow had a special insight into their lives.
There are different rooms of that era which you can sit in, and special areas of crime music, smoking and entertainment.
The museum has the actual lorry used to take away the mailbags in the Great Train Robbery, a car belonging to Christine Keeler, a long pink Cadillac, and other cars and means of transport.
There is a large gym attached – used by the local boxing club – with sports memorabilia around the walls, of which Sparrow – an ex-boxer of many years – is the senior trainer and founder member.
The museum is open every day between 11.00 and 4.00 special times can be arranged.