Old Lockers Become New Exhibition Cases

Over the Easter break, Dr Robinson was busy installing display units for toys, games and books into 18 lockers, designed by Museum Council students from years 8 to 11, in a unique project to complete the History of Childhood Collection.

The display will be part of the forthcoming '100 Years of Toys & Games Exhibition', which began in December with the community collection event for toys and games. A wide range of vintage toys and games were donated, and students recorded the stories and experiences of people playing with different toys and games during their childhood. Between January and March, Beth Jones from The Museum of Oxford ran workshops with the year 8, 9 and 10 Museum Council students on recording oral history, before the students then chose a toy, game, or book to design a 'story locker'' upon.

They were given empty photocopying paper boxes to create detailed mockups of their ideas. A wonderful range of creative ideas developed inside those cardboard boxes, from a Pollypocket world inside a locker, to a vintage shop counter for the cash register, from a marble run surrounded by mirrors, to a desk for a typewriter, with a mini noticeboard for writers' notes.

Meanwhile, Lu Rahman from Oxford Furniture Makers, and Cheney alumnus, set upon converting the lockers. He installed lighting in each one, and created a magical looking lockable inner door for each locker.

The results are fantastic - see the photos below. We look forward to sharing them with the community at the Exhibition later in the year once the rest of the corridor displays are completed.

Dr Robinson has added lots of little details for the beady-eyed (e.g. certain song lyrics in the scrabble locker, and bespoke Oxford monopoly cards - can you find your street?!), and some lockers will continue to have little additions. So keep an eye out for changes.