Isle of Man Guide - DOUGLAS, Manx Museum

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Manx Museum

Ellyntasht Manninagh, Thie Tashtee Vannin

Open:	All year: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Price:	Free
Disabled:	Access
Location:	Douglas town centre
Parking:	Ample, close by
Suitable:	All ages

History

The doors to the original Manx Museum opened November 2nd 1922. It was only after much debate and work that the dream of a National Museum was achieved. The building known as Noble's Old Hospital was handed over by the trustees the year before. The opportunity was presented and once the staff salaries were debated things seemed settled. Artifacts from a temporary museum in Castle Rushen, from storage in Peel, and from well known island preservation societies made their way to Douglas. The first open day brought 416 people and for the next few months the admission of 6d was waved.

To celebrate the centenary of the Museum and Ancient Monuments Trustees (appointed by an act of Tynwald in 1886), a new addition to the Manx Museum was proposed in 1986. The project costing £1.3 would update and redesign the internal building and add a large extension to accommodate an Introduction Theatre, National Art Gallery and Map Gallery. The museum's new look was opened in 1989 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann.

The Manx National Heritage headquarters is based at the Museum, where it continues to provide protection and preservation for the Natural and Cultural past of the island.

Location

A top Crellins Hill on the corner. Entrance off Kindswood Grove where cars enter to park. To avoid climbing Crellins Hill, go on a Monday to Saturday and take the lift for the car park marked with signed for the museum. Cross the blue footbridge and take the gentle include up to the museum.

By Vehicle:
Travel to Douglas and then along the sea front. Turn down Church Road and then go up Crellins Hill. The Manx Museum is at the top of this hill left side.

By Bus:
Douglas can be reached using most main bus routes: 1's, 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, and 6's, as well as many other minor routes. On the island most routes leads to/from Douglas.

By Railway:
By Electric Railway, take the trams heading to Douglas. Then walk along the Promenade till you reach the high street area. Walk up Crellins Hill, or go through the doorway at its bottom which has a slow incline up, or take the lift as suggested above.

By Steam Railway, take the train to Douglas and then up the steps onto Bank Hill. Go straight along Athol Street and then up hill a little to Finch Road. Go along Finch Road till you reach Crellins Hill, where you walk up it to the Museum beside the road, or up the slight incline through the doorway at the bottom of the hill, or take the lift as suggested above.

Manx Museum
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3LY
Tel: +44 (0) 1624 648000

Exhibitions and Services

Film Theatre
National Art Gallery
Map Gallery
Geology Gallery
Great Deer
Prehistoric Archaeology
Viking Gallery
T.E. Brown Room
Social History Gallery, The Voice of the People
Social History Gallery, The Holiday Isle
Folk Life Gallery
Temporary Exhibition Gallery
National History Gallery
Manx National Heritage Library
Cafe
Heritage Shop

Visiting the Manx Museum

There is something for all ages inside this large and well presented national museum. Entering through the main doors, visitors are welcomed and presented with a guide for the museum. They are then shown into the Film Theatre to watch a short presentation about the history of the Isle of Man. After the film visitors are directed into the National Art Gallery, where they are then free to look around or continue on through the museum exhibits.

Most the Manx Museum is interactive and allows visitors to sample visual, audio and exhibit items, which are of interest to them. Many of the exhibition rooms have interactive material specifically designed for children.

After visiting the museum, there is an elegant cafe and large Heritage Shop near the museum exit doors. For those not interested in visiting the museum, but just wish to sample the delights of the cafe or have a browse in the Heritage Shop. Enter through the exit doors located on the older building.

Events

Dates:	Saturday 30 May 2009 - Saturday 05 September 2009
Description:	Honda-The Golden Age. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Honda at the T.T. in 1959,charting the involvment of Honda in the 1960s. Includes early Honda memorabilia, film highlights and memories of Japanese riders and mechanics. At the Manx Museum. Monday to Saturday 10-5. Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, DOUGLAS.

Dates:	Thursday 17 September 2009
Description:	Film Afternoon. Lights, Camera, Action-An afternoon of footage from the MNH film archives, followed by a showcase of entries in the Isle of Man Art Council's Young film Maker of Mann competition and prize giving. Manx Museum Lecture Theatre Douglas 2pm. to 5pm Admission free. Manx Museum, DOUGLAS.

Dates:	Saturday 19 September 2009
Description:	I O M Childrens Centre Adventure Team Challenge. Are you up for the 2009 Adventure Team Challenge? If you are, then the Isle of Man Childrens Centre is looking for teams of 5 people to take part in activities that are both physically and mentally challenging. Please telephone 676076. Demolition Douglas-Exhibition, 19 Sep 2009-7 Nov 2009, Inspired by Peter Heasey's work on the changing face of Douglas, groups including the Hospice, Prison and School students will produce artwork.Joint exhibition Manx National Heritage and Isle of Man Arts Council. Open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission Free. Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, DOUGLAS.
More>>
Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766)

Related News Articles

Veteran TT star visits Honda exhibition 18 June 2009
Curators at Manx National Heritage were delighted last week when a TT veteran dropped in to the Manx Museum to see the new temporary exhibition ‘Honda – The Golden Age’. [More]

An audience with David Hailwood 26 May 2009
Motorbike enthusiasts and racing fans will get the chance to meet and pose questions to the son of TT racing legend Mike Hailwood at “An Audience with David Hailwood” in the Manx Museum Lecture Theatre at 2pm on Saturday 30th May. [More]

Exhibition marks 50 years of Honda racing 19 May 2009
A new temporary exhibition opens at the Manx Museum on Saturday 30 May, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Honda’s arrival at the TT in 1959. [More]

Clients Money Presentation 28 April 2009
Commission staff gave a presentation on the subject of client bank accounts at the Manx Museum on Wednesday 22 April. [More]

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Publications
100 years of heritage: The work of the Manx Museum and National Trust Manx Museum and National Trust, Paperback, 1986 ISBN: 0948308044 Used Price: £6.50 Buy Now More Info
Here Is the News: Illustrated Manx History Terry Cringle The Manx Experience, Hardcover, November, 1992 ISBN: 1873120095 List Price: £13.95 New Price: £15.94 Used Price: £14.95 Buy Now More Info
9th Viking Congress, Isle of Man, 1981: Select Papers: Viking Age in the Isle of Man - Select Papers 9th Christine Fell, Peter Foote, James Graham-Campbell, Robert Thompson Viking Society for Northern Research, Hardcover, December, 1983 ISBN: 0903521164 List Price: £12.00 Buy Now More Info
An Illustrated Encyclopedia Of The Isle Of Man D Webber The Manx Experience, Unknown Binding, 1997 ISBN: 1873120257 Used Price: £19.99 Buy Now More Info