Retro Computer Museum Explained

Retro Computer Museum
Location:Thurmaston, Leicestershire
Type:Computer museum
Collection Size:~300 (unique) systems, >40000 software titles
Founder:Andy Spencer
Chairperson:Andy Spencer
Car Park:On site (no charge)

The Retro Computer Museum (RCM) is a museum in Leicester, England dedicated to the benefit of the public for the preservation, display, and public experience of computer and console systems from the 1960s onwards.[1] [2]

Overview

The museum is a registered charity, and staffed entirely by volunteers. The museum is run by a board of trustees chaired by Andy Spencer, the founder of the museum. On display are a number of computers and consoles from throughout history, from the early home consoles such as the Atari 2600, more advanced machines like the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and NES, through to more recent consoles like the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.[2] A number of rarer items are also on display.[3] [4]

The collection is built largely on donations by the public, and the museum holds around 300 unique systems. Over 40 systems are on display to the public and may be freely used for gaming or, for users with existing knowledge, programming, as well as a public software library holding around 40000 titles. The museum also holds a large collection of magazines and manuals, which are also available to the public.[1]

The museum is open to the public on most Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3:30pm, as well as offering private events (such as parties and school visits) at the main building in Leicester or other premises.[1] [5] The museum also attends other retro gaming and computing events, often providing systems for use by other attendees.[6] [7] [8]

History

The museum began as Andy Spencer's personal collection, which eventually outgrew his garage and became the Retro Computer Museum.[2] The museum first opened to the public in 2008, with an open day held in Swannington, Leicestershire on 16 November 2008.[9] Several more events were held over the following years, both at the original location in Swannington and other venues.[10] [11]

In 2011, the museum moved into its first permanent building in Heather, Leicestershire.[12] Several open days and events were held here. In 2013, the museum moved to larger premises at Troon Way Business Centre in Thurmaston, where it remains (in a different building).[13] In 2016, the museum moved to a larger building in Troon Way, where it currently remains.[14] The museum was moved over less than two weeks in January 2016,[15] and reopened shortly after.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retro Compute Museum.
  2. Burch. Geoff. Burak. Lukwesa. BBC. BBC One. Inside Out (East Midlands). Inside Out East Midlands 2019-03-11 (Retro Computing Feature). 2019-03-11. 1:34. Andy Spencer began collecting computers and video games back in his twenties, when he got married his collection outgrew his garage and with the help of friends and family he built the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester..
  3. Web site: Packwood. Lewis. The Man Who is Keeping 1990s Virtual Reality Machines Alive. 2016-05-23. Kotaku UK. One of the machines Simon has restored is owned by the Retro Computer Museum, where it is on display along with various retro consoles, computers and arcade machines. Only around 350 of these machines were ever made, and Simon thinks that these two are the only working examples left in the entire world..
  4. Web site: McFerran. Damien. UK Retro Computer Museum Open Day. 2009-05-31. NintendoLife.
  5. Web site: Martin. Alison. Jones. Becky. 11 things to do with kids on a rainy day in Leicestershire. 2019-02-18. Leicestershire Live (What's On). It's open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays between 11am and 5.30pm..
  6. Web site: Vallance. Chris. Vintage computers inspire next generation of scientists. 2010-06-21. BBC News. Andrew Spencer of the Retro Computer Museum was demonstrating a Commodore VIC-20.
  7. Web site: Naylor. Mary. PICTURES: More than 1,000 come to Bolton Comic Con for fun-filled day. 2018-01-27. The Bolton News. Upstairs away from the bustle of the convention floor Andy Spencer's Retro Computer Museum had set up around 20 games consoles dating from 1978's Atari 2600 to 2001's Xbox. .
  8. Web site: McFerran. Damien. UK Retro Gaming Event Gathers Steam Ahead Of May Launch. 2013-04-30. NintendoLifo. The Retro Computer Museum who will be bringing 100 or more retro systems to play on, 16-player Halo 2 and Turnarcades with their bespoke MAME cabinets..
  9. Web site: Spencer. Linda. Re: RCM Open Day - Tickets On Sale!. 2008-09-03. Retro Computer Museum Forums.
  10. Web site: McFerran. Damien. Retro Computer Museum Event Incoming. 2010-10-05. NintendoLife.
  11. Web site: Newton. James. UK Retro Computer Museum Hosts Gaming Weekend in November. 2011-09-29. NintendoLife.
  12. Web site: McFerran. Damien. Retro Computer Museum Now Has a Permanent Home. 2011-07-04. NintendoLife.
  13. Web site: McFerran. Damien. UK Retro Computer Museum Is Moving To Larger Premises. 2013-01-24. NintendoLife.
  14. Web site: Spencer. Andy. Some news for 2016. 2015-12-07. Retro Computer Museum Forums.
  15. Web site: Spencer. Andy. We did it.... 2016-01-18. Retro Computer Museum Forums.

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