Retro Computer Museum
| Retro Computer Museum Logo | |
 | |
| Lua error in Module:Infobox_mapframe at line 118: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | July 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | Thurmaston, Leicestershire |
| Coordinates | 52°39′51″N 1°05′23″W / 52.664187°N 1.089782°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Type | Computer museum |
| Collection size | ~300 (unique) systems, >40000 software titles |
| Founder | Andy Spencer |
| Chairperson | Andy Spencer |
| Nearest car park | On site (no charge) |
| Website | retrocomputermuseum |
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[3], and staffed entirely by volunteers. The museum is run by a board of trustees chaired by Andy Spencer[3], 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.[4][5][6]
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 almost all Sundays from 11am to 5:30pm, and many Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, as well as offering private events at the main building in Leicester or other premises.[1][7] The museum also attends other retro gaming and computing events, often providing systems for use by other attendees.
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 16th November 2008.[8] Several more events were held over the following years, both at the original location in Swannington and other venues.[9][10][11][12]
In 2011, the museum moved into its first permanent building, in Heather, Leicestershire.[13][14] Several open days and events were held here, as well as some school visits.[15][16] In 2013, the museum moved to Troon Way Business Centre in Thurmaston, where it remains (albeit in a different building).[17] In 2016, the museum moved again, this time to its current premises.[18] The museum was moved over less than two weeks in January 2016[19][20], and reopened shortly after.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2
Burch, Geoff; Burak, Lukwesa (2019-03-11). "Inside Out East Midlands 2019-03-11 (Retro Computing Feature)". Inside Out (East Midlands). Event occurs at 1:34. BBC. BBC One.
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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Charity Commission. Retro Computer Museum, registered charity no. 1146912. Search this book on
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2008-07-03). "General bits..." Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑
Packwood, Lewis (2016-05-23). "The Man Who is Keeping 1990s Virtual Reality Machines Alive". 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.
- ↑ McFerran, Damien (2009-05-31). "UK Retro Computer Museum Open Day". NintendoLife.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2012-05-11). "Fancy holding your party at RCM HQ?". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Linda (2008-09-03). "Re: RCM Open Day - Tickets On Sale!". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Retro Computer Museum. "RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2009". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Retro Computer Museum. "RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2010". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Retro Computer Museum. "RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2011". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ McFerran, Damien (2010-10-05). "Retro Computer Museum Event Incoming". NintendoLife.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2011-07-03). "Our news..." Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2011-07-16). "A special 'MEMBERS ONLY' event at RCM HQ". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Retro Computer Museum. "RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2012". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2012-05-31). "Some feedback from a recent school visit (Year 6 students)..." Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2013-01-21). "SOME REALLY EXCITING NEWS FOR RCM". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2015-12-07). "Some news for 2016". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2015-12-15). "Moving date(s) - Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th January 2016". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
- ↑ Spencer, Andy (2016-01-18). "We did it..." Retro Computer Museum Forums.
Category:Computer museums Category:Computer museums in the United Kingdom Category:Museums in Leicester Category:Science and technology in Leicestershire Category:Charities based in Leicestershire Category:Museums established in 2008 Category:2008 establishments in England
This article "Retro Computer Museum" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Retro Computer Museum. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
|
This page exists already on Wikipedia. |
