Our Temporary Exhibitions allow us to delve more deeply into specific themes and ideas from the 17th century, exploring their legacy up to today. These are usually located in the two rooms on the top floor of the museum, floor 5.

A Polish Heart Beats Here / Tu Bije Polskie Serce | Tuesday 29 October 2024 - Saturday 26 April 2025

Celebrate the rich and diverse Polish culture within Newark and Sherwood at the National Civil War Centre’s new exhibition, ‘A Polish Heart Beats Here’. Co-produced with the local Polish community, this vibrant exhibition explores three main themes: remembrance, everyday life, and culture and traditions.

You can discover Newark’s historical ties to Poland, from the Polish Armed Forces’ presence in local airfields to the twin town of Sandomierz. The exhibition is a heartfelt collaboration, reflecting the spirit and traditions of the Polish people in Newark.

The Open Doors team, from the National Civil War Centre, met with local Polish residents over four months to co-curate the exhibition. The group shared their ideas, feelings, and lived experiences, to create an exhibition that is both personal and communal.

The exhibition opening follows the All Souls Ceremony of Remembrance and Homage, at Newark Cemetery, for All Souls’ Day; a time for the Polish community to remember those who have passed away. This important day is recognised in the exhibition as part of the three main themes of remembrance, everyday life, and culture and traditions.

‘A Polish Heart Beats Here’ exhibition is part of Open Doors, a three-year programme of events organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council and funded by Arts Council England. Its aim is to increase creative opportunities for young people and under-served groups and become a focal point for culture across Newark and Sherwood.

Our permanent galleries include the Main Civil War Gallery on Floor 1 which gives a comprehensive overview of the causes of the conflict while The World Turned Upside Down galleries on Floor 3 examine their consequences and 17th century life more closely.  

‌The World Turned Upside Down

The unmatched devastation of the Civil War led to an extraordinary ‌transformation. Re-building society after such a dramatic breakdown opened the door to a chance at revolution, and the chaos of war left a remarkable opportunity for creativity in its wake. This 'World Turned Upside Down' is the focus of a brand new permanent exhibition exploring the 17th century's seismic shifts in religion, science, culture and politics. The exhibition will ask just what happened to turn the world from right way up to 'upside down'; examine what it would have been like to plunge into the mayhem of war and emerge into an unfamiliar landscape; and uncover how the pyramid of power shifted from the God-chosen King on top... to Charles' head on the ground.

Newark’s story begins with Ice Age travellers, following their prey along the high ground between rivers. After the ice melted, other travellers left their mark and their treasures here. Romans gave us our roads. Vikings named many of our streets. Anglo Saxons built Newark Castle and the New Werk – the town we know as Newark today.

Explore these two rooms to see some of the clues left to us by generations past. Find out about our local history and the people who built Newark. Who buried the golden torc by the River Trent? Why did Lord Byron have his first volumes of poetry printed here? Who used folding bikes before commuters?

Take our colourful leaflet with illustrations and information about a selection of objects in our galleries! This leaflet was designed by artist and illustrator Samantha Peberdy who was Artist in Residence during 2023. We aim to provide information about our heritage and cultural sites and programmes in a range of languages.

Click here for the leaflet in English: Object Trail Leaflet (English) - PDF Leaflet (PDF File, 13,331kb)

Click here for the leaflet in Polish: Object Trail Leaflet (Polish) - PDF Leaflet (PDF File, 13,507kb)

Click here for the leaflet in Arabic: Object Trail Leaflet (Arabic) - PDF Leaflet (PDF File, 13,081kb)

If you would like information in other languages or formats please contact our team here: visitorinformationcentre@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk