Distilling the Decades... The Blake Family Archive

29 JUN 2024 - 22 SEP 2024 Exhibition Normal admission rates apply Mon to Fri: 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sat & Sun: 11.00am - 5.00pm Book Now

Many families possess a family archive; documents, photographs, heirlooms, scrapbooks, recipes and a range of other items that can reveal insights into past generations. They may never have thought of their collections as ‘archives.’ By retaining and preserving these possessions, often kept in shoeboxes, under beds, on top of wardrobes or in sheds or garages, these items can create a sense of family identity.

The Blake Family Archive has revealed many such treasures!

This exhibition traces the origins of the family business from its foundation in 1880 as a grocer’s shop on Chapel Street, Derrylin, to the Blake’s businesses today. Through words, pictures, artefacts and other archival materials, this exhibition focuses on the characters of the tale. It looks at their lives and the contributions they made over the years.

Their hard work and dedication to family, community and business have inspired this exhibition. Many changes have occurred over the past 140 years and it is against this backdrop of change that this exhibition is defined.

Image caption:
Blakes family home, Main Street, Derrylin, c. 1910
(L to R) Thomas Arthur, Catherine with Joe, Frank, Patrick, Margaret, Patrick Mulroney, Felix McGovern, William Blake.