Pools exhibition to dive into swimming costume history
Cleveland Pools Trust, the members of which are busy restoring Bath’s historic lido, is opening a brand new exhibition at the Holburne Museum celebrating 200 years of the pools.
“Making a Splash! 200 years of the Cleveland Pools, Swimming History and Costume Design” will display a range of swimming costumes through the ages, exploring themes of health, fashion and gender to provide a visual account of the history of swimming.
Located in the cafe corridor area of the Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, the exhibition will run from August 24 to September 5.
Almost Synchro, an on-land synchronised swimming team, will be doing a short display outside the museum at 11am on the opening day of August 24. There will also be children’s competitions with a prize provided by John More Sports.
The exhibition will display a collection of swimsuits, ranging from the itchy knitted one-pieces of yesteryear to the latest in Olympic swim technology.
Exploring themes of health, fashion, and gender it will provide a visual account of the history of swimming – and the ever-changing attitudes towards it – within the wider context of Bath’s rich social history. Adela Straughan, Cleveland Pools trustee, said: “We are so looking forward to holding this exhibition at such an iconic venue in Bath. The volunteers have worked incredibly hard to make this happen. We all love telling the story of the pools!”
At the exhibition there will be information on the architecture of the pools and the 17-year-long campaign to save them and how you can support the project to help raise essential funds.
For further details, head to www. clevelandpools.org.uk/events