Montrose Museum
Encyclopedia
Montrose Museum opened in 1842 in Montrose, Angus
, Scotland. The museum came into being when in 1841 the Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society started a fund to expand its space; in order to house its curiosities and wonders ranging from geological and ethnographical artefacts to a collection of Natural History
objects and Fine Art
. It was accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
in June 2009.
style, fronted by Ionic
columns. Inside the collection is presented in a spacious atrium. From October 2009 it will undergo refurbishment and accessibility improvements and will reopen in 2010. The refurbishment took longer than first anticipated and the museum didn't re-open until 1 March 2011, almost two years since the refurb began.
and Bronze Age
s; stones from what was the Pictish civilisation of Circhen but is now Angus; and the Inchbrayock Stone, also Pictish and dating from 850-950AD. Their collection contains 38 Ancient Egyptian relics and objects from Thebes
. The history of the Burgh
of Montrose is explored; afterwards featuring the life of James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose and his larger role in Scottish history relating to his part first as Covenanter
and then as Royalist
and his part in the Jacobite Uprising.
The adjoining Art Gallery
has featured the work of local artists including William Lamb
, Edward Baird
, James Barclay, David Waterson, Malcolm McCoig,Rowena Comrie,Maurice Forsyth-Grant, Briony Anderson, Jackie Gardiner, Colin McPherson,Ingrid A. Fraser, Struan Hamilton, Bella Green, Fiona Turnbull and Hetty Haxworth as well as the work of the Original Art Group. The work of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour including that of George Paul Chalmers
is part of a short exhibition running from 26 September.
In the mezzanine above maritime relics illuminate the history of the East Coast Whaling Industry. This sits alongside an impressive array of model boats. There is interesting taxidermy
of local wildlife and a small Geology display with a collection of semi-precious agate stones, in a darkened room at the top of the building.
In 2008 the Amici Wind Quintet from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
appeared at the museum.
Montrose, Angus
Montrose is a coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. It is situated 38 miles north of Dundee between the mouths of the North and South Esk rivers...
, Scotland. The museum came into being when in 1841 the Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society started a fund to expand its space; in order to house its curiosities and wonders ranging from geological and ethnographical artefacts to a collection of Natural History
Natural History
Natural history is the scientific study of plants or animals.Natural History may also refer to:In science and medicine:* Natural History , Naturalis Historia, a 1st-century work by Pliny the Elder...
objects and Fine Art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
. It was accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council is a non-departmental public body in England and a registered charity with a remit to promote improvement and innovation in the area of museums, libraries and archives...
in June 2009.
The Museum
From 1837 the collection was housed at a local school but in 1842 was moved into a purpose-built museum, one of the first of its kind in Scotland. The museum is built of pink sandstone in the neo-classicalNeoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
style, fronted by Ionic
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
columns. Inside the collection is presented in a spacious atrium. From October 2009 it will undergo refurbishment and accessibility improvements and will reopen in 2010. The refurbishment took longer than first anticipated and the museum didn't re-open until 1 March 2011, almost two years since the refurb began.
The Collection
The collection includes archaeological finds from the neolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
and Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
s; stones from what was the Pictish civilisation of Circhen but is now Angus; and the Inchbrayock Stone, also Pictish and dating from 850-950AD. Their collection contains 38 Ancient Egyptian relics and objects from Thebes
Thebes, Egypt
Thebes is the Greek name for a city in Ancient Egypt located about 800 km south of the Mediterranean, on the east bank of the river Nile within the modern city of Luxor. The Theban Necropolis is situated nearby on the west bank of the Nile.-History:...
. The history of the Burgh
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
of Montrose is explored; afterwards featuring the life of James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose and his larger role in Scottish history relating to his part first as Covenanter
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
and then as Royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
and his part in the Jacobite Uprising.
The adjoining Art Gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
has featured the work of local artists including William Lamb
William Lamb
William Lamb may refer to:*William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne , Prime Minister of the United Kingdom*William Lamb , Scottish artist*William Lamb...
, Edward Baird
Edward Baird
Edward Baird was born in Montrose in 1904, the son of a sea captain. He was descended from a long line of seafarers, but poor health throughout his life meant that he was unable to follow his forebears to sea...
, James Barclay, David Waterson, Malcolm McCoig,Rowena Comrie,Maurice Forsyth-Grant, Briony Anderson, Jackie Gardiner, Colin McPherson,Ingrid A. Fraser, Struan Hamilton, Bella Green, Fiona Turnbull and Hetty Haxworth as well as the work of the Original Art Group. The work of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour including that of George Paul Chalmers
George Paul Chalmers
George Paul Chalmers was a Scottish painter.He was born at Montrose, and studied at Trustees Academy in Edinburgh under Robert Scott Lauder . He turned to landscapes later in his career, instead of the portraits which formed his earlier work...
is part of a short exhibition running from 26 September.
In the mezzanine above maritime relics illuminate the history of the East Coast Whaling Industry. This sits alongside an impressive array of model boats. There is interesting taxidermy
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...
of local wildlife and a small Geology display with a collection of semi-precious agate stones, in a darkened room at the top of the building.
The Community
There are regular children's activities as well as occasional afternoon talks and evening events. The museum often features work by local groups in its art gallery.In 2008 the Amici Wind Quintet from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
appeared at the museum.