Get a sneak peek at ‘The Street’ as McManus takes a trip down memory lane

By Rebecca Baird

October 26 2021, 6:00pm

Carpenter Kristopher Smart installs part of the John O'Groats Bar in the new McManus exhibition, The Street. Pictures: Mhairi Edwards/DCT Media.

Fans of the “old McManus” in Dundee are in for a fun-filled trip down memory lane as the museum puts the finishing touches on its new exhibition – The Street.

The brainchild of museum services manager Gareth Jackson-Hunt, The Street will be a walk-through replica of a typical Dundee street through the ages, complete with all the nostalgic retailers of yesteryear such as Draffen’s department store, Potters’ shoe shop and the John O’ Groats bar.

And excitingly for lifelong visitors, the exhibition will bring back the much-loved, life-size Shop and Bar dioramas which stood in the lobby of the McManus from 1980 until its recent refurbishment.

Bob Milne, the Old Toll Bar’s liscensee, and his wife Mary behind the recreated bar in McManus Galleries, 1980. Picture: DCT Media.

“The whole premise behind this exhibit was to try and get the Shop and the Bar back out, which were firm favourites for everyone from the old McManus,” explains Gareth, who has been working on the project for almost three years.

“People wanted to see them. But rather than just putting the Shop and the Bar back out, we came up with the idea of recreating a whole street.”

Trip down memory lane for families

It’s hoped that as well as stirring up fond memories for Dundonians who visited the museum’s Shop and Bar between the 1980s and late noughties, The Street will get families sharing stories about the different objects which will be on show in the various shopfront windows.

Curator Gareth Jackson-Hunt with the ‘Toy Shop’ sign ahead of the installation. Picture: Mhairi Edwards/DCT Media

“You’re going to see things from the early Victorian era right through to the modern day,” explains Gareth. “So it’s like taking a walk down memory lane.

“You’re going to remember objects that you – or even your granny – might have seen as a child, or played with.

“We’re hoping that people are going to see this recreation, The Street, and enjoy being there with their families.”

Dundee Rep setting the scene for The Street

The Street is being built in the museum’s Courier Gallery, with Dundee Rep partnering to help design and build the immersive, life-size set.

Gareth welcomed the partnership, saying: “My sketches over lockdown were transferred to the Rep, and they’ve made it a reality.

Set Builder Keiron Sweeney and carpenter Kristopher Smart move part of the bar into the ‘John o’Groats’ bar. Picture: Mhairi Edwards/DCT Media.

“I think that have two cultural institutions, the McManus and the Rep, working together to make something for the people of Dundee, is great.

“They’re building it as we speak!”

The Street will open on November 13 2021 at McManus Galleries and run until October 23 2022.