Windermere Jetty Museum Carmody Groarke

A museum is normally a place that is separate from the world. It is where objects of significance are extracted from everyday use and kept safe for posterity. It is tightly secured and environmentally controlled in an attempt to slow the effects of light, temperature and humidity on the objects. A place of UV filters and glass cases to keep bright sun and greasy fingerprints at bay. But deprived of their context and use, are these objects also deprived of their power? What might a “living” museum look like?

The Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, designed by Carmody Groarke, is one of these rare things. Stepping inside, I am struck by the smell of oil and sawdust, the creaking of boats bobbing in the water, people walking around in life