The Shoemakers Museum open its doors in Street on 18th September, showcasing hundreds of never-before-seen artefacts that tell the story of how a small village in Somerset shaped how Britain - and the world - walks.
The landmark museum will explore the history of footwear through immersive galleries and untold stories from Street - the village where Clarks began.
Shoemakers Museum will house hundreds of never-before-seen objects - from sheepskin slippers to desert boots, school shoes to Britpop stagewear. It is set within Clarks Village in Street and uncovers the moments that made Clarks part of the national DNA.
More than a museum about shoes, it is a story about people - the makers, designers, wearers and communities who built a global business from a small Quaker village. Visitors will step into atmospheric gallery spaces, explore recreated 1950s and 1980s shops, see the foot gauges that measured generations of growing feet and hear the voices of former Clarks workers sharing their memories from the factory floor.
Set within a striking new building, Shoemakers Museum combines a 16th century manor house, a 17th century barn and a modern glass extension to house four permanent galleries. Groups can expect to see original artwork, prototypes, promotional films and rarely seen archive material which bring the Clarks story to life.
An unexpected twist
Underneath visitors’ feet they will see an internationally significant display of marine reptile fossils found in the layer of rock that runs under the Clarks factories.
Some of these remains were unearthed during a boom in factory and housing construction while others were collected by Clarks family member Alfred Gillett.
The museum also features a relaxed, contemporary café offering locally sourced lunches, light bites and cakes, as well as a shop with exclusive Shoemakers merchandise, books, prints and gifts inspired by the archive.
Rosie Martin, director of Shoemakers Museum, said: “This is a museum about people - their craft, their community and the shoes that became part of life’s biggest milestones. Whether you remember your first Clarks or you’re discovering their story for the first time, we can’t wait to welcome you.”
Group visits to the museum
Discounts are available for group bookings. Groups can also arrange a guided tour of the collections on display for a personal introduction to the shoemakers of Street.
And there are private spaces for groups to meet and enjoy refreshments.
Cato Pedder, Chair of the Alfred Gillett Trust, the charity set up to preserve and share the Clarks’ legacy, added: “The museum stands not just as a tribute to the Clark family legacy, but as a platform for future generations to explore creativity, community and cultural identity - through the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.”
For more information visit www.shoemakersmuseum.org.uk
