The Rum Story re-told
When was the last time you paid a visit to The Rum Story? Perhaps you never have?
I last visited when the attraction first opened 14 years ago.
I had some vague memories but none that did justice to what The Rum Story had in store for me when I went again, on a wet bank holiday weekend.
I rediscovered the significant role that Rum played in the development of Whitehaven and its famous harbour, as well as the history of the Jefferson family who were, up until 1998, the longest working wine merchants, having imported wine and spirits for over two centuries.
Set in the original 1785 shop, office, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family you can’t escape the feeling that you’re entering the past and about to discover something fascinating before you’ve entered the exhibition itself. The offices were used in the filming of the 2006 film, “Miss Potter” Within the courtyard is the amazing ‘Kinetic Clock’ which draws a crowd when it marks the half-hour by telling the story of how way rum is made from the harvesting of sugar cane to the bottling of the rum.
As you walk through the doors to The Rum Story itself you’re transported far from the streets of the Georgian town to the rainforest of Antigua, where you’ll learn about the geography of the island, servants in Whitehaven and to the left, down some steps lay the original cellars of the Jefferson family.
Carrying on and you’ll find yourself watching how rum is made in Antigua and see an African village before getting a glimpse of what it was like to be on a slave ship. There are stories of piracy on the high seas, smugglers and Nelson’s navy, as well as scenes from the infamous punch houses; gangsters’ illicit stills, the Jazz Age and you’ll hear the tales of Whitehaven’s maritime past and the Jefferson family.
The Rum Story is the perfect attraction for all ages, although I had to overcome my irrational fear of waxworks. Children are entertained with quizzes to complete as they go around and are entertained by tales of Blackbeard and excited by being in a rainforest an ideal diversion for children on a wet day.
And after soaking up the history you can put your feet up with a cup of tea and a scone in the courtyard cafe or stay for lunch and enjoy a menu full of home-made items and enticing goodies.
And the gift shop stocks the famous 1785 Jefferson’s that you’ll have learned all about.
But what stands out about The Rum Story even more than the high quality of the exhibits is that everything in the museum is related to the history of our town and that makes it personal.
We may think there isn’t much to our town or that we know all there is to know but it’s so much more than a mining town with a port.
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