Galleries and Displays

Tales of South Tyneside

South Tyneside has changed dramatically over the last 150 years. From the boom years of the Victorian period, the decline of the major industries along the Tyne through to the regeneration of South Tyneside. Discover the story of local people at home, at work, at war and at play over the last century.

There is plenty to see and do…

* Join the Jarrow March!

* Follow Catherine Cookson's story.

* Follow the fortunes of four Merchant Navy seamen during the Second World War.

* Enjoy the fun of the seaside and see a range of memorabilia brought in by our visitors.

* Find out about some of South Tyneside's most famous residents and visitors.

* Take a walk down memory lane and see wonderful objects from times gone by in Gompertz Pawnbroker's window.

* Find out about local hero Kirkpatrick.

Tales of South Tyneside Gallery

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, South Shields in 1906 and died in Newcastle in 1998.

Many of her books were inspired by the area, and the people she had known, during her childhood. Today you can follow her story, see her Emmy award, discover a rare handwritten story that Catherine had written for a friend's child and much more.

Catherine is well known as an author of novels but she also wrote books for children. During the Second World War, Catherine's husband Tom was stationed at RAF Madley, near Hereford. Catherine went with him and they lodged with the Stinton family. It was for their son, John, who Catherine wrote her first children's story: 'Stinton got his Man'.

'Stinton Got His Man' is on display for the first time alongside a pencil drawing by Catherine (of the Old House in Hereford) in the Tales of South Tyneside display.

Find out about Catherine Cookson's 'rags to riches' story in Tales of South Tyneside Gallery.

Art Adventure - a fresh look at painting

Art Adventure is an interactive gallery where you can see paintings from the Museum's collection displayed alongside 'hands-on' interactives to help visitors to find out more about art.

See a range of paintings of local scenes by artists such as Scott, Carmichael and Hemy and explore how artists use different materials and techniques to create their works.

Land River And Sea

Discover how the three elements of land, river and sea have influenced the industrial and environmental history of South Tyneside from pre-historic times to the present day. This hands-on gallery features a wide range of displays which help to tell South Tyneside's fascinating story, including a prehistoric forest, fossils and minerals in a coal mine and the importance of shipbuilding. Highlights include the gruesome Jarrow gibbet and the story of the invention of the lifeboat.