Welcome Area

The Welcome Area gives you a chance to rest or play, enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake, browse the shop, or admire the eclectic collection of objects in our Welcome Case. The objects here–such as a beehive chair, a Ransomes Newcastle plough, and a Laura Ashley dress–are just a taster of the variety of the objects that await you in our galleries.

The MERL Welcome Case.

An introduction to The MERL

Below, The MERL Curator, Dr Ollie Douglas, explains how the the Welcome Case introduces the visitor to The MERL displays.

What I Can See

Milk counter pan (MERL 58/64)

Milk Counter Pan

Date

c. Late 19th century

Object Number

58/64

Splint basket (MERL 91/38)

Splint Basket

Date

1991

Object Number

91/38

Friendly society pole head (MERL 55/1180)

Friendly Society Polehead

Date

c.1800

Object Number

55/1180

Canal hand bowl (MERL 60/434)

Canal hand bowl

Date

c.1850-1900

Object Number

60/434

NUAW Banner

Date

1913

Object Number

61/235