Catalyst Archives

A few photos capturing Runcorn Town Hall taken at night in 1996 - just naturally showing up in our #westonpointstudios photographic archive!

Congratulations to Jonathan Davies on his CBE in the New Years Honours. Obviously best known for appearing in one of the 'Two Wonders of Widnes' advertising campaign at our Museum in 1989. Am pleased to say the framed poster still adorns our museum walls!

The day Father Christmas visited the American Express offices at Runcorn Heath 1984 - I am sure we can put names to faces! #amex

The photographer having some fun with the ICI Winnington Research building photos ... in 1990

I'm not sure when people think of a chemical industry museum that photos of #vladivarvodka would immediately spring to mind. ICI registered the product #perspex (seen here impersonating an ice mountain) in the 1930s following it's discovery by two of its chemists. Cheers!

A few festive photographs from our archive 1982 Widnes Rec Children's Christmas Party - Technical Department #iciarchives

@gregoldfield @BBCBargainHunt Arghh, I missed this - great spot!

@catalystarchive spotted on today's Bargain Hunt. @BBCBargainHunt

Great to see some of the original features in the theatre (this part of the building dates back to the early 1900s), which are still visible and we must be one of the greenest organisations as we still have those tables in the last photo!

Here are some photos taken by ICI Weston Point Studios but they are of an Open Day at the Catalyst in 1993. It is lovely to get a snapshot of the museum in the 1990s as we move into the next phase with our The National Lottery Heritage Fund sponsored gallery.

When worlds collide! One of the joys of rescuing several hundred thousand negatives is not knowing what will turn up next. Not for the first time do we see the long association that chemical firms have had with our museum since its inception. 🧵

Following on from the Heritage Open Days, all of the photos that were on display are available to view in our Gossage Room Library on floor 2. If you're in, have a good browse. #iciarchives

You never know what will appear in our #westonpointstudios photographic negatives. This charming photo of a room in a Swedish designed #lundbydollshouse from 1980. The photo was taken due to the #vivelle (fabric) being manufactured by ICI #iciarchives #dollshouses

⭐It's Today!⭐ Explore three floors of ICI Weston Point Studios photographs on temporary display plus our permanent galleries and current art exhibition. Our phone lines are down at the moment so contact us through any of our socials if you need. Look forward to welcoming you!

⭐It's Today!⭐ Join us at the Catalyst Museum for Heritage Weekend between 10 and 5. Meet our friends from Halton Heritage Partnership who have taken over our Gossage Room Library and made it their own! Free entry.

Well of course our ICI photographic negative collection contains 1982 photos of Chester City Centre - why wouldn't it! See these and other such gems on Saturday and Sunday 20/21 Sept at our museum as part of this years' Heritage Open Days - Free entry, open 10-5

From our ICI negatives collection ...

From our ICI negatives collection

@HaltonHour Very good thanks. Yes you must! Didn’t know that to expect when it was painted. It’s based on a science experiment called elephants toothpaste. We don’t have this kind of frivolity in archives :)

@catalystarchive Evening Jude - how are you? I must remember to stop and take a photo and not just fly past on my bike on the way home! #HaltonHour

#HaltonHour Come and see our anamorphic artwork! Makes little sense until you see it through a camera lens (phone) lens :) #illusions

If you missed the wonderful event 'A Spike in Culture' don't worry, you can still see some of the fantastic Stone Roses photography by Ian Tilton plus signed copies of his book and postcard sets are available in our gift shop (limited stock available). Display is on until 16 Aug