Story of Portsmouth

The way we lived
On the first floor 'Living in Portsmouth' looks back at life in the home with reconstruction of a 17th - century bedchamber, a 19th - century dockyard worker's kitchen, a Victorian parlour, a 1930's kitchen, and a 1950's living room.

In addition we have on display a 1930's dining room. The dining suite veneered in birds eye maple dominates this fashionable room. A typical example of Art Deco furniture design, it is thought to have been made by Epstein's of London, England. Kaff Gerard and Poole Pottery contribute ornamental ceramics while Frank Brangwyn's tea set designed for Clarice Cliff's Bizarre range combines decorative and useful functions. Glass vases by the French firm Lalique as well as by British factories are also included.

Portsmouth at Play
The 'Portsmouth at Play' gallery starts with the development of Southsea as a seaside resort, featuring posters, memorabilia of seaside holidays and working historic amusement machines from the pier arcades. Other sections cover the history of the football club, sport, pubs, theatres, cinemas, coffee bars and ice cream parlours including a booth from Verrechia's, Portsmouth's most popular ice cream parlour from the 1930's to the 1960's. The display also includes archive film of Southsea, seaside holidays, fairs, the circus and other leisure activities from the 1930's through to the 1960's.

The City Museum and Records Office also features an exciting programme of changing temporary exhibitions to appeal to all ages and interests. These cover a very wide range of subjects including local history, photography, fine and decorative art, natural history, technology and hands-on exhibitions. Some are produced by the museum service, others are on national tours. To get details of our current exhibitions Click here.