*Exciting New Exhibition* The Street at the McManus; Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum

There are some fantastic new shops making an appearance in Dundee, but they don’t quite offer the usual shopping experience.

You’re invited to take a walk down memory lane and immerse yourself in ‘The Street at The McManus’.

A few memories may resurface for some of the older generation when they browse through the windows of an old toy shop and pawnshop or look into the window of a shoe and furniture shop, as well as compare fashions from the city’s yesteryear in a department store.

For some visitors, they’ll make a bee-line to assume that very comforting position of leaning against a bar made from parts of the fittings from the John O’Groat’s and Old Toll Bar. The John O’Groat’s closed in 1967 and was located on the Cowgate. The building that housed it was known as ‘Heaven and Hell’ due to the Wishart Memorial Church located above, a place of worship for the missionary, Mary Slessor.  The Old Toll Bar stood on the corner of Gray’s Lane and Lochee High Street and closed in 1972. Although both inns ceased trading many years ago, they’ve been brought back to life and stocked with some very familiar refreshments. Luckily Dundee still boasts some good old fashioned pubs for visitors to discover such as the Speedwell Bar.

 The Grocer’s shop is a reconstruction based on the interior of a traditional grocer’s shop. Also on display will be design classics from retail history. Evening dresses, handbags, Tennents cans, Clarks’ Desert Boots, a Timex watch, dolls house and early games consoles are just some of the highlights visitors can look forward to seeing. You may even remember some retail names from old Dundee

With the increase of online shopping and the recent pandemic accelerating new retail habits, town centres and high streets are reshaping. The recent loss of big retailing names, along with independent retailers, in city centres across the country has highlighted the ever-changing nature of our high streets. This exhibition illustrates parallels from the past and the closure of many historical Dundee favourites such as Draffens’ and DM Browns. The building that housed Draffens’ has had a new lease of life and now welcomes hospitality businesses; The Blue Room, Frank’s Wine & Pasta Bar and a certain ‘secret bar‘ in the basement.

Dundee’s city centre has changed dramatically through the decades. The Street looks back at how shopping and hospitality have shaped our collective experience during this time. The shop and bar are museum favourites from the past that span a 150-year period looking at the history of retail and brewing.

This show will allow you to see these much loved exhibits, reimagined in a setting alongside some of Dundee’s favourite shops, using the city’s collections.

When you visit Dundee you won’t need a DeLorean or a Hot Tub to time travel. You can just walk through the doors of this wonderful city museum and you’ll be transported back in time. The Street at the McManus gives visitors another great reason to explore a city that continues to evolve and change.

The exhibition begins on the 13th of November and runs right through till the end of October 2022. It is brought to you by the McManus; Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum with assistance from Dundee Rep and like all their fantastic exhibits is brought to you FREE of charge. Opening times: Mon to Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12.30-4.40pm  

Make sure you explore all that the McManus’ 8 galleries have to offer.

You can also see the stunning photographic exhibition – A Love Letter to Dundee: Joseph McKenzie Photographs 1964-1987.

Dundee’s waterfront transformation has gained worldwide recognition. In the latest of our changing annual displays, we return to Dundee of the 1960s-1980s. Photographer Joseph McKenzie’s stunning black and white photographs evidence the changing fortunes of the City and its people. This exhibition runs through till the 20th of March 2022.