Our Exhibition Galleries
Why not come and visit our free galleries to find out what the villages of the Rhondda were really about?
Our Collection
The world-famous Rhondda Valleys in South Wales once powered the world with its coal. Our collection features items from the era when coal was king - including the famous Davy Lamps used by miners to light the way through the dark underground coal pits. Some of these items have been scanned in 3D in our portable studio as part of the virtual reality (VR) immersive mine experience "Pwll Bach Cwm Rhondda". This was created by Vision Fountain as part of the Welsh Government's "Winter of Wellbeing" funding. Three of the items were scanned as part of the “Last Generation of Coalminers” project with ourselves,The Heritage Fund, & The National Waterfront Museum. View collection
Our brand-new, free,interactive exhibition is now open!
Part funded by the Welsh Government Culture Division, the new exhibition features amazing footage from the archives of when coal from the Rhondda powered the world. Over 140 mining and Welsh history artefacts are on display making this the biggest ever exhibition to be held here. Combined with the incredible footage, touch screens, quizzes, puzzles and digitalised artefacts, this could arguably be called the definitive exhibition on the history of the South Wales Valleys.
The artefacts on display are accompanied by digital touch screens which tell the story of the objects. Visitors can browse through topics such as the Rhondda Coal Rush and the involvement of Rhondda miners in the Spanish Civil War and see these topics brought to life on the big screens with historical news clips. There are timelines, maps, and even more digital artefacts to explore.
Find this exhibition on the ground floor along with our Coal Society exhibition.
Coal Society
Our Coal Society gallery is located on the ground floor. It tells the story of the people in the Rhondda from 1800 – Present Day. While some men were working in the mines, this gallery focuses on the voices of Women, our Activists and Chapels. Life was different for everyone who lived in the Rhondda and this really highlights those experiences. Using our interactive touch screens, discover why people moved to the area or listen to activist Elizabeth Andrews. Discover our interactive timeline and find out key events from the past. You can even cosy up in our parlour - an important room in most Rhondda homes.
Temporary Gallery
There’s even more to explore on our first floor with our temporary galleries. These change every 3-4 months featuring different topics from the history of the Rhondda. Our current exhibitions are:
World War II
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. To commemorate this, our World War II exhibition is now available to view and covers local events that took place during the biggest and deadliest war in history, such as The Porth Blitz and the conscription into the mines of the “Bevin Boys”.
Miners’ Fortnight
Find out about the 2-week annual holiday when Miners decamped to the coast of South Wales with their families and even organised their own Eisteddfod!
Cwm Rhondda Choir
Find out how music brought the communities of miners together and earned Wales its reputation as the Land of Bards and Singers.
Wildlife and Industry
Wildlife and Industry tells the story of our local wildlife. Visitors can read about the impact mining had on the wildlife here and how it has improved since the closure of collieries. Find out what wildlife havens we have locally that used to be key industrial sites.
Women of the Valleys
Find out what life was like for coal miners wives and women in the 1900s and their fight for equality in later decades.
Outside Yard
Outside in our yard area we have a host of exhibits for you to see. Why not take a look at our forge area and find out what the colliery blacksmith did and listen to his stories? We have an original Anderson Shelter and our very own ‘Dig for Victory’ garden. Or discover the machinery that was used underground and take a look at our drams of coal!