A trip to Patagonia has had a lasting effect on Ceredigion Museum’s Andrea DeRome.

The journey to Argentina earlier this year has resulted in an exhibition currently on display in Aberystwyth.

The exhibition ‘Because it’s there’ examines human exploration: the desire to go beyond the horizon, climb the mountain, venture out across the ocean, fly among the stars, to discover something because it’s there, or rumoured to be there.

It features the tools and machinery that made things possible and uncover the stories of the brave people who took bold risks in their pursuit of new discoveries.

Andrea, who works as a collections access officer at Ceredigion Museum, travelled to Patagonia to research pioneering voyages for the exhibition, and the journey was made by support from the ICOM UK - British Council Travel Grant Scheme 2018-19.

Andrea, who is fascinated by the ocean, was keen to take the trip.

“Lured by tales about maritime wanderers I imagined voyages at sea, praying to survive a maelstrom, waiting for calmer winds and clearer skies. I became curious about the tools of celestial navigation and exploration, and in awe of those who went to sea.”

One pioneering voyage Andrea learnt more about began on 28 May 1865, when the anchor was raised on the sailing ship ‘Mimosa’ as it left for Patagonia in Argentina.

It took 60 days for the ship to arrive at its destination. At the mercy of the wind and waves, there were four deaths, two childbirths and one wedding along the way.

On board were about 153 resolute Welsh-speaking families seeking to create a Welsh-speaking utopia.

They had grown concerned that amongst the many changes of the Industrial Revolution in their homeland, their language and values were being eroded and lost.

“When they finally land there is nothing, they have arrived on this continent in winter. It is not the fertile land they were passionately promised; they shape their first dwelling in a cave and survive through the kindness and forgiveness of the indigenous people,” said Andrea.

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