Carla Resendiz dressed as a Victorian lady in the Johnston photographic studio. Picture: Fergus Mather
Wick Heritage Museum welcomed more than 200 visitors to its first New Year open day since before the pandemic.
Volunteers from the Wick Society were on hand to explain the stories behind individual exhibits and to serve up non-alcoholic mulled wine and other refreshments, while many people took the opportunity to have Victorian-style photographic portraits taken in the Johnston studio.
Other highlights at Monday's event included a presentation by Willie Watt of the Seafarers Memorial Group about the ambitious plans for a monument at the town's Braehead and traditional tunes from local musicians Addie Harper, Joanne Sutherland and Richard Smith.
Ken Wood and Angus Mackay, both former county football secretaries, presided over a collection of local trophies and other footballing memorabilia and were able to help identify teams and players in old photos.
Carla Resendiz, a volunteer with the Wick Society's boat section, was among those who had their portraits taken by Fergus Mather in the Johnston photographic studio while wearing period costume.
Wick Society volunteers Jeanette Coghill, Scott Mackenzie and Marney Bruce were offering non-alcoholic mulled wine, ginger wine, orange juice and sweets. Picture: Alan Hendry
"It was amazing," Carla said. "I liked feeling the clothes, the way they were made. You can notice how times have changed in the manufacturing – it was lovely to feel the fabric and all the textures.
"It was like being in one of the old photos – it was a very nice experience."
Some of the exhibition areas in the Bank Row museum are being freshened up ahead of the 2023 season starting in April.
Speaking towards the end of the open day, Wick Society chairman Donald Henderson said: "I think it's great that we've opened up again after Covid.
"There's a buzz about the place and there have been favourable comments about the changes we've made so far. We're hoping to make a few more before we open for the season.
"We're just hoping that we're going to have another good year with visitors."
Musicians Joanne Sutherland, Addie Harper and Richard Smith performing during the event on Monday. Picture: Alan HendryLily MacGregor (92) in front of a Johnston enlargement of Wick town centre. Picture: Alan HendryTom Richard, Eilidh Robertson, Alister Richard and Mary Richard in the museum's schoolroom area. Picture: Alan HendryYoung members of the Aitken family posing for a Johnston studio portrait – (from left) Callum (11), Rosie (8) and Finlay (9). Picture: Fergus MatherLinda and Geordie Robertson from Keiss beside the bell in the museum's fishing hall. Picture: Alan HendryWillie Watt of the Seafarers Memorial Group with Malcolm Bremner (left), vice-chairman of the Wick Society, at the museum open day. Picture: Alan HendryKen Wood (left) and Angus Mackay holding the Wick and Pulteneytown Senior Football League Challenge Cup – the oldest known Wick football trophy. Picture: Alan HendryAngus Mackay with a Keiss football shirt and ball from 1930. Picture: Alan HendryFergus Mather (left) of the Wick Society's Johnston photographic section in the Johnston studio preparing to take an old-style portrait of visitor James Gunn. Picture: Alan HendryJacqueline Mackay in the cooperage area at the museum. Picture: Alan HendryJohn Webster beside a display of model boats, some of which he himself restored. Picture: Alan HendryJoanne Sutherland and Addie Harper played a selection of accordion tunes. Picture: Alan HendryMalcolm Bremner, vice-chairman of the Wick Society, telling visitors about the Johnston photographic collection. Picture: Alan HendryAudrey Banks in the museum's old-style classroom. Picture: Alan HendryWick Society chairman Donald Henderson said there had been favourable comments from visitors. Picture: Alan HendryWick Society volunteer Carla Resendiz was among those who posed for Johnston studio portraits wearing period costume. Picture: Fergus Mather
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