Retro Computer Museum

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]

Retro Computer Museum
EstablishedJuly 2008 (2008-07)
LocationThurmaston, Leicestershire
Coordinates52.664187°N 1.089782°W / 52.664187; -1.089782
TypeComputer museum
Collection size~300 (unique) systems, >40000 software titles
FounderAndy Spencer
ChairpersonAndy Spencer
Nearest car parkOn site (no charge)
Websiteretrocomputermuseum.co.uk

Overview
Part of the museum's main room

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]

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 (Such as Parties and School Visits) at the main building in Leicester or other premises.[1][6] The museum also attends other retro gaming and computing events, often providing systems for use by other attendees.[7][8][9]

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 16 November 2008.[10] Several more events were held over the following years, both at the original location in Swannington and other venues.[11][12]

In 2011, the museum moved into its first permanent building in Heather, Leicestershire.[13] Several open days and events were held here. In 2013, the museum moved to larger premises at Troon Way Business Centre in Thurmaston, where it remains (in a different building).[14] In 2016, the museum moved to a larger building in Troon Way, where it currently remains.[15] The museum was moved over less than two weeks in January 2016,[16] and reopened shortly after.

References
  1. http://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
  2. Burch, Geoff; Burak, Lukwesa (11 March 2019). "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. Charity Commission. Retro Computer Museum, registered charity no. 1146912.
  4. Packwood, Lewis (23 May 2016). "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.
  5. McFerran, Damien (31 May 2009). "UK Retro Computer Museum Open Day". NintendoLife.
  6. Martin, Alison; Jones, Becky (18 February 2019). "11 things to do with kids on a rainy day in Leicestershire". Leicestershire Live (What's On). It's open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays between 11am and 5.30pm.
  7. Vallance, Chris (21 June 2010). "Vintage computers inspire next generation of scientists". BBC News. Andrew Spencer of the Retro Computer Museum was demonstrating a Commodore VIC-20
  8. Naylor, Mary (27 January 2018). "PICTURES: More than 1,000 come to Bolton Comic Con for fun-filled day". The Bolton News. Upstairs away from the bustle of the convention floor Andy Spencer's Retro Computer Museum had set up around 20 games consoles dating from 1978's Atari 2600 to 2001's Xbox.
  9. McFerran, Damien (30 April 2013). "UK Retro Gaming Event Gathers Steam Ahead Of May Launch". NintendoLifo. The Retro Computer Museum who will be bringing 100 or more retro systems to play on, 16-player Halo 2 and Turnarcades with their bespoke MAME cabinets.
  10. Spencer, Linda (3 September 2008). "Re: RCM Open Day - Tickets On Sale!". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
  11. McFerran, Damien (5 October 2010). "Retro Computer Museum Event Incoming". NintendoLife.
  12. Newton, James (29 September 2011). "UK Retro Computer Museum Hosts Gaming Weekend in November". NintendoLife.
  13. McFerran, Damien (4 July 2011). "Retro Computer Museum Now Has a Permanent Home". NintendoLife.
  14. McFerran, Damien (24 January 2013). "UK Retro Computer Museum Is Moving To Larger Premises". NintendoLife.
  15. Spencer, Andy (7 December 2015). "Some news for 2016". Retro Computer Museum Forums.
  16. Spencer, Andy (18 January 2016). "We did it..." Retro Computer Museum Forums.
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