Crowns, Commemoration and Community

In all of the work we do we aim to tell national stories through a local lens and this free exhibition was no different. Featuring documents, photos and objects from the museum collection, Crowns Commemoration and Community took visitors on a journey from the coronation of Queen Victoria to the present day, showcasing celebrations and events to mark royal milestones.

We invited people to contribute their own memories to our interactive timelines to build a bigger picture of how Egham and the surrounding area has come together for these nationally (and internationally) important moments. The focus was, therefore, less on the impact of the Royal family on the nation and on the world stage, but on regular people and the fond memories they share to this day. In particular, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1952 and her jubilees since evoke strong memories of celebrations and street parties, and it was the stories around these events we were hoping to capture and share.

This exhibition also inspired some events following Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in February 2022. Many people visited the Literary Institute for our Jubilee Crafternoon, a free bunting workshop that allowed visitors to make a bunting flag to decorate either the museum or a mini design to take home with them. We also hosted a jubilee tea dance, a chance to dance or just sit with an afternoon tea and share memories of jubilee’s and other royal events of years gone by.