The smell of sweltering summer heat, the sting of hot vinyl on the back of your legs as you pile into the family car to embark on the annual holiday road trip. Step back in time a whimsical ride down memory lane, from oversized roadside attractions to the moment of check-in, when Reception this way rolls into The Workshops Rail Museum on 25 August.
Reception this way takes you back to a time when the roadside motel was an integral part of the Australian holiday experience. Motels were stylish and sophisticated, and revolutionised the Australian road trip for families and business travellers.
With convenient car parking, mid-century architectural styles and a generous offering of designer mod cons, who could resist booking a motel for their summer getaway? And, of course, there were swimming pools, chance celebrity encounters, sun and surf, breakfast hatches, twin packs of biscuits and a radio in every room!
Developed by National Archives of Australia in collaboration with comedian Tim Ross, the exhibition will revive memories holiday experiences from yesteryear, through photographs and promotional film footage.
Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said this nostalgic trip back in time would appeal to visitors of all ages.
“Just like rail travel, Australians hold a soft spot for the great Aussie Road trip and Reception this way presents a wonderful opportunity to relive holiday memories and share these stories with your family,” Dr Thompson said
“The Workshops Rail Museum is excited to be partnering with National Archives to share this classic and evocative exhibition with our community.”
Director-General of National Archives Simon Froude said Reception this way reminds us of Australian invention and entrepreneurship, and our place in the international tourism market.
“We are very pleased to have Tim Ross taking this nostalgic journey with us,” Mr Froude said.
“His passion for Australian mid-century architecture and exploration of the national archival collection was the inspiration behind the development of Reception this way.”
Comedian Tim Ross said it was a pleasure to work on this project with National Archives.
“The records at National Archives are richer and more diverse than many people would give them credit for. It’s a real treasure trove that deserves to be better known,” Mr Ross said.
“I’m really pleased that my earlier research and partnership with National Archives planted this seed that has blossomed into a really great exhibition. To be part of that journey has been fun.
“The result is this pictorial love letter to a somewhat bygone era, capturing the glamour and convenience of the roadside motels, from the east coast to the west, during a time when Aussie families found the time to hit road and take a break.”
Reception this way: motels – a sentimental journey with Tim Ross runs at The Workshops Rail Museum from 25 August 2023 to 12 December 2023. \
Exhibition supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program.
Reception this way opens on 25 August 2023 to 12 December 2023. For more information visit https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/
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