Collection
The Curve Pods
The Collection covers a period of around 10,000 years – from woolly mammoths to the present day and charts the development of the town of Slough, its public, social and domestic life, developments in science, technology, agriculture and industry and the impact of these on the town in the past, present and the future.
Since collecting began in 1985, Slough Museum has acquired around 3,500 objects and documents (consisting of prints, paintings, drawings; maps; numismatics; documents; decorative art; costume; geology; archaeology; occupational tools and equipment; Slough-made products & packaging; toys and other juvenilia) and 7,500 photographs. The Museum also holds approx. 32,000 negative packets and strips from Slough Observer newspaper and a small quantity of oral history recordings, video tapes and film reels.
Slough Museum is proud to have eight Pods in The Curve, the central library and cultural hub for Slough.
We also run Make with the Museum at The Curve Club on the last Saturday of the month.
These themed Pods, located over three floors, explore the heritage of the town, focusing on its nationally important industrial heritage and the history of its pioneering, vibrant community.
They feature the people of Slough, from the Herschel Family, who made significant advancements in astronomy, to the people living here today; focussing on domestic and community life, from important places and leisure activities, to community endeavours during the war periods. Pods include sound, visuals and short films.
Visit the pods to learn more about Slough’s history.
Origins of Slough
This pod features the early history of Slough. Highlights include our woolly mammoth’s tooth and tusk, excavated from the Slough area. The story takes in Slough’s importance on coaching routes and how its fertile land made it ideal for farming and horticulture.
Industrious Slough
Slough as a centre for industry and innovation is featured here through the story of the SEGRO Slough Trading Estate, one of the biggest in the world.
Discovery and Innovation
Discovery and Innovation – this Pod documents great contributions to science and technology, including 18th century astronomers William and Caroline Hershel and elixir inventor James Elliman.
A Sense of Place
This Pod tells stories of people coming to Slough from all over the world and is often used for Virtual Reality experiences.
Life & Leisure
Find out about Slough’s golden age of cinema; highlights include the story of the Hollywood handprints, Slough’s very own pavement of fame.
Storytelling Sitting Room
A recreation of a 1950s living room and a base for hearing the stories of the many people who have lived in Slough.
1930s Kitchen
A recreation of a 1930s kitchen is a focal point for finding out about domestic life in the years before and during the Second World War.
Victorian Slough
A focus on the Victorian era features the growth of industry in Slough and Queen Victoria’s first train ride from Slough Station in 1842.