New exhibition exploring the choices and challenges of parenthood opens at Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood
Bringing Up Baby, Museum of Childhood, 9th February – 29th September 2019, Free Entry
Bringing Up Baby, a new exhibition has opened at Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood will explore the choices and challenges faced by parents. The exhibition is free to enter and runs until the 29th September.
Bringing Up Baby features a range of objects from the museum’s collection including; Paddi Pad disposable nappies invented by British mum Valerie Hunter Gordon in 1947, Kamella Baby Bag popular in the 1930’s and a charming selection of baby’s clothes, including home-made knits and a selection of clothes popular through the decades.
Scotland’s Baby Box also features as part of the exhibition having been gifted to the Museum by the Scottish Government last year, marking the 1st anniversary of the national scheme which sees every newborn baby in Scotland presented with a Baby Box from the Scottish Government.
Through these wide-ranging objects, Bringing Up Baby aims to highlight some of those difficult decisions and the different responses made by parents across the generations as they approach parenthood. Breast or bottle? Cloth nappies or disposables? Should you use a dummy? These questions and more shall be addressed through the exhibition and are sure to generate debate, discussion, shared stories, memories and advise across the generations.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “With over 200,000 visitors every year, the recently refurbished Museum of Childhood is one of Edinburgh City Council’s flagship venues and a much-loved institution in the City.”
“Now open seven days a week it is home to an impressive collection of more than 60,000 objects reflecting childhoods from the 18th century to the present day and this latest exhibition is a welcome addition. It showcases generations of childcare artefacts, documents and changing trends in parenting right up to 2019.”
Lyn Stevens, Museum of Childhood Curator said: “It has been fascinating to explore the Museum’s collection to find what has changed in infant care and what has stayed the same. The clothes were especially interesting as fashion plays a large role in how parents wish to present their new arrivals to the world. Scotland’s Baby Box is a great addition to our collection, and captures a moment in time for this new initiative.”
Venue Details:
Address: Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG
Telephone: 0131 529 4142
Website: www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk
Twitter: @EdinCulture
Facebook: www.facebook.com/museumofedinburgh
Instagram: instagram.com/museumsgalleriesedinburgh
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh is a collection of 13 venues and over 200 monuments across Edinburgh. Our vision is to inspire, enthuse and provoke through a shared passion for Edinburgh, Art and History.
In 2016-17, we welcomed more than half a million people to our nine major visitor attractions: the City Art Centre; Lauriston Castle; Museum of Childhood; Museum of Edinburgh; Nelson Monument; People’s Story; Queensferry Museum; Scott Monument and Writers’ Museum.
We house rich and varied collections relating to the historical and cultural life of Scotland’s Capital. Our venues also boast an exciting and vibrant programme of events and exhibitions, offering something for everyone to enjoy.