The new exhibition at the National Civil War Centre was opened last night by Lord Spencer.
The Civil War came to life in Newark last night as VIPS came to see The National Civil War Centre's brand new exhibit.
The Civil War Centre unveiled its new permanent exhibition to the public - The World Turned Upside Down - which showcases life in the 17th century during the civil war.
The exhibition, the brainchild of curator Mr Glyn Hughes, shows how the chaos of war left an opportunity for creativity, as well as the shifts in religion, science, culture and politics.
From left: Cllr John Robinson, Cllr Rob Crowe, NSDC Leader David Lloyd, Earl Spencer, curator Glyn Hughes and Cllr Rita Crowe. (16166041)
Mr Hughes said the exhibition wasn't just about the conflicts, but about how society tried to maintain a normal life during the torrid times:
"It's looking at every day experiences for people during the conflicts. These people still got married and had children, they survived, and they were trying to make sense of their losses during the most horrible of wars.
"They started to think it must be for something, and they created some amazing ideas to shape modern democracy."
As well as a whole host of genuine Civil War era artefacts, including jewellery, armour, clothing (including Oliver Cromwell's own hat) and day to day items, the exhibition also has a range of interactive displays, including a chance for visitors to decipher codes and even 'amputate' a wounded soldier's infected arm.
An interactive Printing Press installation at âThe World Turned Upside Down.â, a new permanent exhibition at the National Civil War Centre. An exclusive preview evening of the exhibition took place on Wednesday 4 September 2019 with around 150 dignitaries in attendance, including Earl Spencer. 040919TV4-5. (16165305)
Mr Hughes said that some of the ideas that came forward in the Civil War, such as the ideas that women could be preachers or could vote, were massively ahead of their time.
He said: "I've got an enormous amount of respect for these women, they were thinking that they had suffered during the war too, and had to pick up the pieces if their husbands or fathers had died, so why shouldn't they be able to vote too?"
The new exhibition was opened on Wednesday night by Lord Charles Spencer, a Civil War enthusiast himself, as well as leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council David Lloyd and John Robinson, the chief executive of the district council.
Items, including the hat believed to have been worn by Oliver Cromwell when he dissolved Rump Parliament April 1653, are exhibited in a new permanent exhibition at The National Civil War Centre, titled âThe World Turned Upside Down.â An exclusive preview evening of the exhibition took place on Wednesday 4 September 2019 with around 150 dignitaries in attendance, including Earl Spencer. 040919TV4-1.. (16165293)
Lord Spencer said: "The Civil War is one of the most important part of our country's history and the exhibition is very informative.
"You can't help but be riveted by the exhibits. The important thing with history is its about people and this centre brings people back to the story of the Civil War.
"I especially like the interactive things and there's something for everyone, from firing a cannon on a digital screen to learning about people's lives and stories."
This was Lord Spencer's first visit to Newark, and he described the town as a "gem":
"Newark is a beautiful and charming town, and I hadn't realised how many historic buildings there are here, it's a real gem."
