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 is run by volunteers. The museum opened its doors in February 2018.
It shares the amazing history of Eel Pie Island. This includes its old boatyards. Some boats from the island even helped in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. The museum also celebrates the island's role in 1960s music. A hotel ballroom on the island hosted many famous bands. You can also learn about Trevor Baylis, who invented the wind-up radio. He used to live on the island. Michele Whitby is the museum's founder and curator.
Contents
What is the Eel Pie Island Museum?
The Eel Pie Island Museum is a small, volunteer-run museum. It is located in Twickenham, a town in London. The museum tells the unique story of Eel Pie Island. This island sits in the River Thames. It has a rich and varied past. The museum opened in 2018. It is a great place to discover local history.
A Look Inside the Museum
The museum covers many interesting topics. It shows how the island changed over time. You can learn about its boat-building past. You can also explore its famous music scene. The museum also highlights a special inventor.
The Island's Boat History
Eel Pie Island was once known for its boatyards. Skilled workers built and repaired boats there. These boats were very important for river life. Some of these boats played a heroic role. They joined the "Little Ships" fleet. This fleet helped rescue soldiers. This happened during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. The museum shares stories of these brave boats.
Music Legends of Eel Pie Island
In the 1960s, Eel Pie Island became famous for music. A hotel on the island had a large ballroom. This ballroom hosted many popular bands. It was a key place for rhythm and blues music. Famous groups like The Rolling Stones played there. Many other legendary musicians also performed. The island helped shape the British music scene. The museum celebrates this exciting musical past.
Trevor Baylis: An Island Inventor
The museum also features Trevor Baylis. He was a famous inventor. He lived on Eel Pie Island. Baylis is best known for inventing the wind-up radio. This radio did not need batteries. It was powered by turning a crank. His invention helped many people. It was especially useful in places without electricity. The museum shares his inspiring story.
Who Started the Museum?
The Eel Pie Island Museum was founded by Michele Whitby. She is also the museum's curator. This means she looks after the collections. Michele worked hard to create the museum. She wanted to share the island's history. Her dedication made the museum possible. It is a wonderful community effort.
