Before the fame and fortune, the Lads from Liverpool put in thousands of hours in clubs and lounges across the UK, Germany, Sweden, and France. Yet few venues can be so closely associated with the earliest days of the Beatles as the original Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

The Beatles first played the Cavern Club in 1961 where they were soon noticed by talent spotter and future manager, Brian Epstein. The venue was inspired by Parisian jazz clubs and boasted an iconic brick-laden cellar that served as the stage.

When the original club was demolished in 1973, a selection of bricks was taken and placed at auction. Mini Museum's material comes from one of these 1973 bricks, meaning the sound of the first 1961 Beatles performance passed through the brick in this collection.

As a young boy, John Lennon scaled the walls of the Salvation Army children's home, Strawberry Field to play with other boys his age. Growing up in Liverpool, Lennon had a turbulent childhood, raised by his aunt Mimi after being given up by his mother Julia. His aunt recalled young Lennon’s excitement at the summer garden parties, who would jump up and down when he heard the Salvation Army band begin to play and exclaim “Mimi, come on! We’re going to be late!”

In 1967, The Beatles released "Strawberry Fields Forever," a single written by Lennon in which he evoked his childhood memories of the house and gardens.

The original house was torn down in 1973 and replaced due to structural issues, but a selection of bricks were reserved and placed at auction. Mini Museum's material comes from one of these 1973 bricks, which would have once been a part of the home that Lennon sang about.

Before The Beatles played for millions of viewers on The Ed Sullivan Show, the Lads from Liverpool put in thousands of hours in clubs and lounges across the UK, Germany, Sweden, and France. Before that, they were regulars at a very special venue: George Harrison's mother's house.

Even the Beatles got their start playing living room shows. In 1958, George joined the Quarrymen at age 15. Despite his youth, Paul and John were impressed by his guitar ability and his home at 25 Upton Green became the spot of many early rehearsals for the band. George's mother Louise was a fan of her son's musical pursuits and was more than happy to host the fledgling stars.

This specimen is a fragment of door frame from the house at 25 Upton Green. This material was removed from the house after the Harrisons left in 1962 and stored in the attic for years. It was acquired from the current owner of the house, Ken Lambert.