The Porters Row homes at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port are now fully open for visitors to experience and enjoy

Porters Row was built in 1833 to house the growing number of dock workers and their families. Twelve houses were built but only four remain today and are some of the oldest houses in the town.

On Saturday 6 September, Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Brian Jones, officially re-opened the cottages. Past residents and their families together with volunteers joined the Mayor for a ribbon cutting and street party to celebrate the work of the volunteers and contractors in restoring this much-loved exhibition.

John Inch, Manager of the National Waterways Museum said: “A past resident of number five, Mr Green, donated a photograph of a street party on VE Day to the Canal & River Trust’s archive, so we took the opportunity to re-create the wonderful image at the event.”

Restoring the cottages involved external decoration including roof repairs and re-lining the chimneys.

For the latest information on all that is happening at the museum including forthcoming events, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/NationalWaterways Museum or go to the website canalrivertrust.org.uk/NWM

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