Eel Pie Island Museum facts for kids
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| Established | February 2018 |
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| Location | 1–3 Richmond Road, Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames |
| Type | History museum; music museum |
| Founder | Michele Whitby |
| Public transit access |  Twickenham |
The Eel Pie Island Museum is a special place in Twickenham, London. It's run by volunteers, which means people help out because they love the museum and its history. The museum opened in February 2018.
It tells the amazing story of Eel Pie Island. This island has a rich past, from its old boatyards to its important role in music history. It also shares the life of a famous inventor who lived there. Michele Whitby is the person who started the museum and looks after its collections.
Contents
Discovering Eel Pie Island's Story
The museum helps visitors explore different parts of Eel Pie Island's past. You can learn about its boat-building history and how it became a famous spot for music. It also highlights the life of a clever inventor.
The Island's Historic Boatyards
Eel Pie Island was once known for building and repairing boats. These boatyards were very important. Some of the boats built here even helped during a big event in history.
Boats and the Dunkirk Evacuation
In 1940, during World War II, many soldiers were trapped on beaches in Dunkirk, France. Boats from Eel Pie Island joined a large rescue effort. They helped bring these soldiers safely back home. This was a very brave and important mission.
Music on the Island
In the 1960s, Eel Pie Island became a super cool place for music. There was a hotel on the island with a big ballroom. This ballroom hosted many important music acts.
A Hub for Popular Music
Many famous bands and musicians played at the Eel Pie Island Hotel. It was a key spot for the "Rhythm and Blues" music scene. This made the island a legendary place for music lovers. It helped shape the popular music of that time.
Trevor Baylis: An Island Inventor
The museum also shares the story of Trevor Baylis. He was a clever inventor who lived on Eel Pie Island. He is most famous for inventing something very useful.
The Wind-Up Radio
Trevor Baylis invented the wind-up radio. This special radio doesn't need batteries or electricity. You just wind it up, and it plays! It was a brilliant invention, especially for people in places without easy access to power.
Find Out More
- Official website: https://www.eelpiemuseum.co.uk/
