Residents at Middleton Hall Retirement Village have joined a region-wide celebration of railway history by participating in S&DR200 Presents: Memory of a Journey, a mass-participation art project marking the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway – the world’s first modern railway line.

As part of the project, residents hand-decorated peg dolls to represent their most cherished train journeys. Each doll reflects a personal memory, crafted with love, creativity, and care. From childhood holidays to everyday commutes and special trips to visit family, the dolls embody stories that span generations.

“We’ve shared our stories with each other while making these little characters,” said one resident. “They’ve heard our memories, and now they’ll carry them forward.”

This local effort is part of a larger initiative that invites people across Darlington, County Durham, and the Tees Valley to create peg dolls representing themselves or a memorable journey.

Several of the ladies who lovingly crafted the dolls enjoyed a special trip to Hopetown to personally hand over their creations. The museum curator was incredibly impressed by the quality and detail of their handiwork and was thrilled to receive the dolls, praising the creativity and heart that went into each one.

Eventually, 22,000 dolls will be decorated, photographed, and digitised to create a unique and evolving exhibition. The dolls will be showcased at venues including Preston Park Museum and Hopetown Darlington in autumn 2025.

The project not only commemorates the first railway journey in 1825, but also celebrates the millions of personal stories that rail travel has inspired over the past two centuries. For the residents of Middleton Hall, it’s been a joyful way to connect, reminisce, and be part of a shared journey into history.

To see how else we’ve been involved in the S&DR200 celebrations, visit our Latest News, HERE

For more information on the S&DR200 celebrations visit HERE