Detail of a British Railways poster advertising New Brighton, Wallasey and the Cheshire Coast, from around 1955
The River Room celebrated the role of the River Mersey in the lives of Liverpool people. It explored the importance of the river to the history of the city and looked at how it shaped the lives and aspirations of Merseysiders.
The River Mersey has been a tremendous resource, bringing the city exceptional wealth and a sense of the world beyond its shores. It has proved a challenge too, acting as a barrier between the communities that have lived either side of its waters.
This colourful gallery told the story of ferries and tunnels, days out and holidays using archival film, recordings of local people and memorabilia from over 150 years with a blend of nostalgia and affection. When the River Room was open you could:
There have been ferries crossing the Mersey since the medieval period. Monks from Birkenhead Priory were the first to use them, making the crossing in small rowing or sailing boats.
In 1815 steam ferry boats were introduced, and improvements were made to both ferries and landing stages throughout the 19th century. Ferries became increasingly important to people on Merseyside as they used them for travelling to and from work and for days out and holidays.
But the ferry was much more than a means of transport – it was a part of people's lives, a connection to the magic and mythology of the river. Other things you could do in the gallery included:
Brightly coloured holiday posters, maps and brochures, along with a larger-than-life sculpture, conjured up the days out and holidays enjoyed via the Mersey.
A fascinating collection of models, posters, leaflets and souvenirs showed the popularity of the Mersey resorts of New Brighton and Eastham. A 1950s film of holidaymakers in New Brighton showed how fashions have changed. Swimwear and beach toys all added to a nostalgic holiday atmosphere.
The Isle of Man was another much-loved destination. During the 1950s, the journey took around four hours and was considered as much a part of the fun as actually arriving. Tea on board was a typical way to pass the time.
The River Room had a fine collection of photographs of Isle of Man ferries, along with memorabilia ranging from commemorative crockery to a standard issue vomit can!
The Mersey forms a barrier between Liverpool and the Wirral peninsula, presenting a challenge to communities either side of the water. Although the ferries were ideal for foot passengers, increased use of the motor car meant that people sought alternative ways to cross it. The Mersey tunnels displays show how people on Merseyside developed local transport systems to make the most of Liverpool's riverside location.
The Queensway Tunnel was completed in 1934, a great achievement which was celebrated with a 'tunnel walk-through' by 80,000 people.
On show in the gallery there used to be souvenirs and photographs, along with detailed material on the work involved in this impressive feat of engineering.