Remember the ’70s? Some people who lived through it don’t remember and those who weren’t born yet obviously only heard about everything second hand.
That makes the new ’70s exhibit coinciding with the reopening of the Chemainus Valley Museum Thursday, April 14 all the more compelling.
“Do you remember the ’70s, we are bringing them back with a fun and interactive new exhibit,” reads the museum’s promo poster. “It’s so groovy and we can’t wait to share it. Can you dig it?”
It features all sorts of memorabilia, much of it courtesy of Mike Mitchell from Nanaimo, who considers himself a “hoarder.”
It’s a good thing he has been in order to provide a chance for people to view some interesting items.
A good friend of Mitchell’s who knows the people running the Chemainus museum made the connection for items of his to be utilized in the display.
“They got hold of me and they came up and looked at some of the stuff,” he said.
Music was obviously paramount to the time and a famous Chemainus resident will be featured in the display.
“Trooper was one of the greatest dance bands and Frank Ludwig was here so there’s that connection,” said Mitchell.
“We’re the generation we need to be continuing the heritage connections to ensure that legacy is here.”
The explosion of graphic designs is another sign of the times, added museum curator Lesley Moore.
“Technology was improving, you could produce these incredible graphics,” she said.
“There was the rebellion. With the Vietnam war impacting a lot of us, there was a need for social change in many areas – people wanting to be heard and wanting to have that impact on society.”
The exhibit is sure to catch the attention of Baby Boomers, who were entrenched in those times.
“People will be drawn in when you look at the content of the posters,” said Moore. “That reflects what was going on in our society.”
Hours of operation for the museum are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
