Class books from 1925 to 1935 did not stay alone on the shelf for long. As the main initiator of the project, Bohdana Tobiášková (47), revealed to Bleska, local history enthusiasts living in the village of Nová Ves in Mělnick started collecting other exhibits and memories. It consists of five parts, Nová Ves, Miřejovice, Nová and Stará Ouholice, and above all Veprěk, in whose Satran mill, a protected monument founded in the 14th century, the association Bylo bylo also found a place for the collection. “We’re making a museum, even though we don’t know how it’s done,” admits Tobiášková and her friend and mill owner Pavlína Linzerová (51), that they started implementing the idea without the slightest experience. They continue to tirelessly supplement the exhibition spaces with pieces that are discovered at home and brought by neighbors and from across the country.
The Once Upon a Time museum in Satran’s mill in Vepřek in Mělnick is full of nostalgia, hidden surprises and radiates enthusiasm for its realization. | Lightning – ID Hladík
“We want to show the rich history of our village, preserve objects and local memories for future generations. And as the mayor said at the opening ceremony: A village that has a future must respect its ancestors and take care of traditions,” said Tobiášková. To date, hundreds of objects from the floors of the surrounding houses, barns and estates have found their way into the exhibition. “Whether it’s agricultural machinery, tools, the equipment of an old Bohemian svetnikka, school notebooks from the years 1890 to 1900, and the like.”
The smallest are food stamps from the Second World War, on the other hand, the largest are Walter’s aircraft engine or agricultural machinery. The rarest part consists of local historical documents and photographs, the most memorable are the more than 500-year-old parts of the bells from the pig bell tower. “There are many stories behind them, we invite readers to come and listen to them!” adds Tobiášková.
Famous Neighbors
The museum commemorates the village’s milestones, but it also does not forget its famous neighbors, who are still admired by the whole world. For example, native, industrialist Josef Walter (1873–1950), pioneer of Czechoslovak motoring and founder of the factory of the same name. “This December, it will be 150 years since his birth,” Tobiášková mentions, adding that they are preparing thematic exhibitions here for the anniversary. But they also refer to the composer Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) from nearby Nelahozevsi, who gave his first public concert here.
The Once Upon a Time museum in Satran’s mill in Vepřek in Mělnick is full of nostalgia, hidden surprises and radiates enthusiasm for its realization. | Lightning – ID Hladík
Everyone got involved
The museum is almost a full-time job. “Since September, we have been offering a program for schools and kindergartens. Twice a year, large events are held in the area – the Summer Festival in the Mill and Advent in the Mill, both with a rich program. The museum will now be part of them,” reveals Tobiášková. Her son Oliver (14) also got involved in the work with the museum’s offer, he took up the military part. “He is interested in the military history of the 1st and 2nd World War, this led him to the bunkers, the strip of which led through our village. He finds period objects, takes care of the exhibition,” revealed his mother.
What, where, when, for how much
Museum Was not • Satranův mlýn, Vepřek 19, Nová Ves • When: 17.9.10 to 14.00, 21.10., 18.11. and 16.12.2023 14.00 to 18.00, or by arrangement. • Admission is voluntary. • mlyn-veprek.cz