00:00Here we are 80 years later, able to see the fruit of what was then the science, technology,
00:07engineering, maths of its day. Divided by time, united under one roof. Since 1946,
00:14Mate Stone's carriage museum has been home to old wagons and carts, including Queen Victoria's
00:20fifth state Lando. This is the only museum in the south of England dedicated to carriage driving
00:25history and this year it marks its 80th anniversary. The museum shows how people travelled, worked and
00:32lived from the 18th to the early 20th century. Each vehicle reflecting the changes in society,
00:39craftsmanship and everyday life. The carriage museum has evolved in the sense of the way that the
00:44carriages are interpreted and displayed is very different. There are a huge amount of vehicles
00:50in here so the way that they have been displayed hasn't necessarily changed a huge amount but I
00:56think our appreciation of them and understanding of them has changed a lot in that time as well.
01:01One of our first visitors was actually the previous Queen Elizabeth I when she was Princess Elizabeth
01:07and we're held in really high regard with places like the V&A who we also have loans on some
01:13of our
01:13carriages from sorry. So I think our kind of role within the museum sector and our role for visitors
01:21is very different to what it was originally when we set up as well. Some may question the role of
01:25museums like this today but Mate Stone Borough Council says they're the key to preserving local heritage
01:31and keeping Kent's history alive. To understand where it is we've come from we need to know where it
01:37is we've come from in order to be able to grow the skills and the knowledge as to where it
01:42is we need to go
01:42next and that's the importance of this museum. Every vehicle has a story to tell and as the museum
01:49celebrates 80 years visitors can take a ride through Kent's past. Maisie Walker for KNTV, Mate Stone.
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