Cake decorating, balloons and selfies: Here's how you can celebrate Preston Park Museum & Grounds 70-year anniversary

Preston Park Museum & Grounds is marking its 70th anniversary with a day of party celebrations for visitors to enjoy.

This Saturday (June 3) is 70 years since the venue, owned by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, was officially opened for the first time as a public museum. 

And from 10am until 4pm, there'll be a host of family-friendly activities to enjoy at the museum, like facepainting, balloon artists, a selfie station and cake decorating.

You can also mark the occasion by adding a birthday message or memory to special 70^th birthday cards and help create a giant collaborative 70 badge display for the window of the museum

And the first 70 visitors on the day will also get a free cupcake!

As well as this, visitors can enjoy the usual attractions like enjoying a picnic to enjoy and taking a look at the walled garden in the Victorian Street.

The museum is also appealing for donations of artefacts such as old photographs, guidebooks and leaflets, which relate to the early years of Preston Park Museum & Grounds.

It's hoped that this public appeal will help the museum improve its archive from its opening in 1953 to the early 1970s. 

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "We're delighted Preston Park Museum & Grounds has provided people with special memories over the past 70 years and we're looking forward to celebrating this milestone birthday with visitors.

"So why not come along and enjoy the day this Saturday - and you could even bring a picnic to enjoy in the orchard or on the tables in the Victorian Street.

"We're proud of the vital role the museum plays in telling important stories about our people and local heritage with its extensive collection of 100,000 fascinating and unique objects. And this is why we're appealing for donations of artefacts to further extend the offer.

"Whether visitors are stepping back in time in the 1895 Victorian Street, exploring the museum galleries, taking a stroll through the Walled Garden or enjoying the annual activities programme and themed events, there is always something new to see or do. We hope the museum will continue inspiring, entertaining and educating people for many more years to come."

To join in the fun at the museum on Saturday, the usual admission fee applies, or you can use your annual pass if you have one.

As the date of the anniversary falls within May half term, the museum will continue it's 'Comic Adventure' half term programme with a party theme added to Saturday's activities.

Anyone who would like to learn more about donating artefacts to the museum can email museum@stockton.gov.uk.

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