A popular Swansea museum which has been visited by thousands of locals and tourists over the years is unlikely to open in 2022, staff have confirmed. The 1940s Swansea Bay Museum, which displays artefacts from the 1941 bombing raid of the city during the Second World War and other items from the era, is understood to have lost its premises near Bay Field Hospital.
Management told WalesOnline that staff were on the hunt for new premises and hoped to have an update on a new site later in the year. But it's understood that it's "unlikely" the museum will be welcoming anyone in 2022.
A post has also appeared on social media suggesting that "anyone who donated items to the museum and would like them back" should contact the museum's owner. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
The museum was particularly well-known for offering interesting activities to school groups learning about the Second World War. Youngsters were able to dress up in 1940s clothing, get a tour of a 1940s street, watch news reels from the war and learn about rationing, evacuating and life in an Anderson Shelter.
The museum was opened in 2005 by twin brothers John and Huw Thomas who wanted to offer an interactive attraction for the people of Swansea. As WelshHolidayCottages.com explains, the museum offered visitors the chance to try on authentic clothes and helmets, walk through an indoor 1940s street and "have a spam sandwich and camp coffee in the gift shop". You can read more stories about Swansea here.
"This is not a museum of glass cases and ‘do not touch’ signs. It is fun for all ages whatever the weather," Huw Thomas previously said. "People who are old enough to remember the 1940s can share their recollections with us, whilst children and their parents are amazed at the heavy weight of many of the clothes and army helmets."
The reason it can no longer remain at its current premises is not currently known.
Whilst the 1940s Swansea Bay Museum is not currently open, Swansea does still have the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Museum and The Egypt Centre, and St Fagans National Museum of History is just an hour away. The museum was recently voted as the top museum in the UK by Which? magazine. More than 40 attractions across the UK were rated by over 4,000 visitors, with St Fagans coming out on top. You can read more about this here.
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