The Treasure Box Project

Woodhall Spa really is a 'Treasure!"

There was abundant evidence of this in the Museum's recent, popular exhibition which kick-started the Cottage Museum's projects for 2009.

Hundreds of visitors passing through the museum's doors during the week long exhibition were captivated by the results of the largest community project for many years and their positive and complimentary comments reflected this. The exhibition was the culmination of just one stage of a project funded by agencies closely involved with the museum sector.

Treasure boxes were produced by all the children at St. Andrew's' C.E School together with nearly thirty community groups and local businesses who have worked directly with the children.

All the boxes contained items personally valued by individuals, relevant to community activities and to the heritage of Woodhall Spa. The entire museum was converted into a giant 'treasure box' in order to exhibit these along with many of the museum's artifacts and historical records.

The second strand, the production of a treasure box web site produced by children, for children, is ongoing. Its aim, like the rest of the project, is to promote the community and heritage of Woodhall Spa as a treasure to be welcomed and explored by families moving into the area. To this end teachers and museum volunteers have worked with groups of children from St. Andrew's C.E. Primary School since September 2008 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Those visitors who missed the original exhibition can still get a feeling of what it was like by coming to the museum, which opens for the new season on Good Friday. Many of the community groups, businesses and children have agreed to let us exhibit their treasure boxes for the forthcoming season.

Woodhall Spa continues to show the world what a vibrant community has to offer!

Jackie Goodall -March 2009