Free exhibition offers public a window to the past

A brand new, free exhibition at Theatre Severn celebrating a collection of remarkable photographs from over 100 years ago opened last Friday (27 September 2013).

“Window Shopping on the Past” allows you to glimpse rare images from the past, as well as a soundscape of voices recalling memories of shopping in Shrewsbury.

The photographs were taken in 1888 by Joseph Lewis Della Porta, who was himself the son of a shopkeeper and part of the Della Porta department store dynasty.  This selection of images is printed from his original glass negatives, over one hundred of which are kept at Shropshire Archives.

The stunning display provides snapshots of the foods and products which were for sale –everything from a tin bath to a pocket watch, a coracle or a round of cheese.  You can also see the shopkeepers, their families and staff standing in front of their premises, and the occasional curious onlooker who sneaks into shot.

Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“The remarkably fresh images give us an astonishing insight into the lives of people in Shropshire’s county town at the latter end of the 19th century.  The cast of characters presented are an amazing assortment of individuals who appear to be reaching out to us down through the years, almost to invite us into their shops today, to investigate their strange and mysterious wares and their world as it was 120 years ago.  I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to visit this very interesting exhibition.”

The exhibition is free of charge and runs until Monday 6 January 2014.  It’s open Monday – Saturday 11am-7pm, and is based in Theatre Severn’s FBC Manby Bowdler Gallery (Upper Circle Foyer Level) and extends into the Chapel Bar.