Rutland County Museum is getting ready to celebrate five decades as one of the county's favourite visitor attractions.

The Oakham museum tells the story of Rutland's history, archaeology and geology, and was officially opened by the Duchess of Gloucester on 12 May 1969. This followed 10 years of passionate campaigning and fundraising by local charity Friends of Rutland County Museum to establish a dedicated heritage centre for Rutland.

To celebrate its 50-year anniversary, Rutland County Museum is holding a series of special events, displays and exhibitions – starting with a 'Get Creative' Family Day on Saturday 11 May and leading up to the unveiling of a newly aquired historical artefact, which will go on public display for the first time in October.

October also marks the 60th anniversary of Friends of Rutland County Museum, who continue to support the Museum by raising funds for the purchase of new exhibits. The friends intend to hold their own anniversary celebrations at the museum in October.

Sir Laurence Howard KCVO OBE, President of Friends of Rutland County Museum, says: "Our members are all incredibly proud of the role that the Friends have played in helping to establish and support a county museum for Rutland.

"Having initially campaigned for 10 years to have the museum opened, it is hugely rewarding to reach such a significant milestone.

"Fifty years is a tremendous achievement and shows just how popular the Museum has become among visitors and all of us who live in Rutland."

Rutland County Council is custodian of Rutland County Museum and maintains and runs the building as one of its cultural services.

Rob Harbour, Deputy Director for Places at Rutland County Council, says: "It's fantastic that we're celebrating 50 years of Rutland County Museum. The museum isn't just an historic building; it's part of the local community and an important link to the past.

"We're starting the anniversary celebrations with a 'Get Creative' Day because the museum is a family attraction that's enjoyed by visitors of all ages. It's not just somewhere to learn, it's also a place to have fun and we hope lots of you will come along to join in the celebrations."

Rutland County Museum's 50th anniversary Family Day takes place on Saturday 11 May 2019 and will be supporting the national Get Creative Festival, with free arts and crafts activities for children aged four and older.

As part of its 50-year celebrations, the museum will also be using social media to count down a list of 50 historical artefacts that span the centuries. The countdown will highlight many of the hidden treasures which make up the Museum's archive of more than 12,000 objects.

Follow Rutland County Museum on Twitter and Facebook to find out more.

Rutland County Museum is one of the most popular free attractions in the East Midlands and welcomed more than 18,000 visitors last year.

The Museum is open from 10am until 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information about upcoming events and activities as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, visit the Rutland County Museum website by clicking the red button below, email [email protected] or call 01572 758440.

Photos 2: Rutland County Museum building in 1969