New Winding House exhibition a Titanic success!

16 April 2012

The new exhibition at the County Borough museum, the Winding House in New Tredegar, has already proved to be a huge hit, with nearly 1000 visitors in its first 10 days.

The Titanic, the Mill and the Signal: Artie Moore and Titanic's SOS explores the fascinating story of Artie Moore from Gelligroes Mill, near Pontllanfraith, who received RMS Titanic 's SOS signal, on the night of 15th April, 1912 on his homemade wireless radio equipment. The exhibition also highlights some other local links to the famous ship and the story of the tragic sinking itself.

News of the Winding House exhibition has travelled far and wide, with articles referring to Artie Moore and the museum featuring in publications as diverse as the Guardian, The San Francisco Chronicle, Iran Daily News, The Hindu and The Washington Post! A member of museum staff has even had an interview live on Detroit-based radio station, WJR, in Michigan, USA, to explain more about the exhibition.

Principal Museums and Heritage Officer, Helen Willson says "We are absolutely thrilled by the overwhelming response we've had to the exhibition since its opening on Good Friday. We've been delighted to welcome lots of people who have never visited the Winding House before, while many of our regular visitors have told us the exhibition is our best one yet! We're especially pleased that newspapers around the world have, quite rightly, recognised how fascinating Artie Moore's story is."

The Winding House has been further boosted by a recent new loan to the exhibition as Blackwood and District Amateur Radio Society has very kindly loaned Artie's spark gap transmitter for the exhibition. This is the only surviving piece of his radio equipment and will be a significant addition to the displays.

Helen continues, " For those who haven't yet had the chance to visit the exhibition, there's plenty of opportunity as The Titanic, the Mill and the Signal will be on display for the rest of the year."

The Winding House is open Tuesdays - Sundays, 10am - 5pm and admission is free. For more information about the exhibition or the Winding House itself call 01443 822 666 or visit www.windinghouse.co.uk.