Archive Council News

27.04.07

Changing Times, Changing Places

New exhibition at Wrexham County Borough Museum to mark the 150th birthday of the Borough of Wrexham.

Wrexham Museum is marking Wrexham’s 150th anniversary with a new exhibition on how the town has changed over the past one hundred and fifty years. Wrexham first appeared in the Dark Ages, but the town only gained borough status (self-governance) in 1857 during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The exhibition tells the story behind the struggle for borough status, which was seen as the best way to solve the many health and social problems in the town. Visitors can also explore in the exhibition what life was like and what was happening in Wrexham in 1857, 1907 and 1957. There is also the chance to see how the town has changed through a display of archive photographs of old Wrexham.

Museum staff have been searching through the stores at the museum, in the archives and beneath the Guildhall, and have gathered together a fascinating collection representing the history of the town to display in the exhibition: the Council mace, the freedom roll, the official visitors book, letters from Winston Churchill & Edward VIII, petitions to the mayor, the first council budget details, electoral propaganda from a hundred years ago, and menus from the great 19th century banquets held to mark St David’s Day and mayor-making day. Two fascinating books in the exhibition are the minute book for the first local election in Wrexham in 1857 and a scrap album detailing the life of mayor Emyr Williams in 1933.

There is plenty to do in the exhibition as well: nominate a local unsung hero for Freedom of the Borough, take part in our poll for the most historic building in the County Borough, see how well you know Wrexham, share with people what you, your family and your ancestors were doing in 1957, 1907 or even 1857 and much more.

The Museum’s Education Officer is running a series of workshops for primary school children called ‘ The Seven Wonders of Wrexham’ alongside the exhibition. Advice is also available to schools wanting a self-guided visit.

The exhibition opens on April 23rd and runs until July 7th. Admission to the museum is free.

For more information and to arrange photocalls

Emma Wynn, Marketing Officer, 01978 297 437
Jonathan Gammond, Interpretation Officer, 01978 317 970
Lynn Podmore, Education Officer, 01978 317 970

Background history:

Wrexham celebrates its 150th birthday in 2007. The town has been around since the Dark Ages, but only became a borough in 1857. The town bellman announced the news that the Privy Council was going to grant the town a Charter of Incorporation (ie give the town independence from the lords of the manor and the parish priest) in May 1857. Arguments over the boundary delayed the granting of the charter until September 1857. The first elections to the Borough Council were held in November 1857 and Thomas Edgworth was elected the first mayor by his fellow councillors. The town received its official coat of arms in December 1857. Official celebrations marked both the 50th and 100th anniversaries of the charter in 1907 and 1957 respectively.