Exhibitions at our museums

16 March 2013 - 15 September 2013
Teddy Bear Story
City Museum

Teddy Bear Story celebrates what is arguably the most popular and universally loved toy in the world. The first teddy bear was designed in 1902 and although a relatively modern toy, the teddy bear is a phenomenal world-wide success, holding a unique and important place in the childhood memories of many people.

Teddy Bear Story explores the history of the teddy bear from the first designs based on real animals to modern character and designer bears, and from the earliest manufacturers in Europe and the USA to production on a world-wide scale.

Bears have featured in folk and fairy tales for centuries and the exhibition will feature bears from the unrivalled collections of the V&A Museum of Childhood including those from picture books, film and television, and even teddy bears with their own personal stories to tell. This engaging exhibition will also look at the materials and designs used to make teddy bears, and how social and economic change and safety concerns have influenced how these cuddly companions are made.

Until October 2013
The Dickens Quilts
City Museum

Members of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles in the Portsmouth area have made twelve individual quilts to celebrate the birth of Charles Dickens. They are based on the theme “What Dickens Means to You” and very different in style. The quilts will be on display until end of October 2013 and can be found at the City Museum on all three floors in the stairwell leading to the Fine and Decorative Art Gallery.

The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles is a national membership organisation which promotes and collects patchwork and quilting from traditional to contemporary design.  The Guild displays their collection at their Museum and Gallery in York. To find out more about the Guild, click here to see their website.