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Maidstone Museum brings modern history to life

Phil Harrison
BBC News, South East•@philharrison77
Reporting fromMaidstone
BBC A miniature tin figure of Sir Kreemy Knut, wearing a blue suit with monocle and walking cane, on display in The Oldham Gallery at Maidstone MuseumBBC
Sir Kreemy Knut, the face of Sharp's Toffee, is one of the exhibits at Maidstone Museum

Maidstone Museum is launching a new gallery this week to explore the town's modern history.

The museum has gathered exhibits from Tudor times to the present day and is inviting local community groups to share their stories and artefacts.

Exploring Maidstone's Past and Present will be the first exhibition in the refurbished Oldham Gallery.

Collections manager Sam Harris says the new display will link up with the existing Lives In Our Landscape Gallery.

Sam Harris, Collections Manager at Maidstone Museum stands in the Oldham Gallery in front of a display case featuring sporting paraphernalia from Maidstone United and cricket teams
Sam Harris, Collections Manager at Maidstone Museum says many items on display will be from industries people remember working in

One exhibit is a miniature tin figure of Sir Kreemy Knut, emblem of Sharp's Toffee, who were based in the town.

"He was designed as a dandy and is very eye-catching," adds Ms Harris.

"Edward Sharp was a master of publicity. He was a big employer in the town and it's great to have him as the emblem of the gallery."

Another piece on display is a mysterious 16th-century seal that could hold the key to the town's name, "Maid on the Stone."

The gallery also features hands-on exhibits, a digital archive, and a rotating Community Cabinet, which is being launched with a spotlight on Maidstone's Polish community.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 19th July and is free to visit.

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