World War One workshops at Dumfries Museum
Young visitors to Dumfries Museum during the Easter break have been learning more about World War One at workshops associated with the Next of Kin exhibition.
Artist Hugh Bryden and museum staff encouraged visitors to look at World War One souvenirs in the exhibition and a handling collection and then create their own art works. On the 7 April the workshop focussed on Princess Mary tins and trench art and on 14 April the workshop was inspired by a beautiful pin cushion made as a gift.
During the week beginning 27 April free interactive workshops are available to local schools. A century after Britain went to war we now, with hindsight, know the full horror of the years between 1914 and 1918. In August 1914 the young men who rushed to join up to fight for King and Country saw things very differently. It was exciting. There were opportunities to travel with your pals and to have free food and clothing. No one wanted to miss out.
By spring 1915 the horror of war was reaching home through personal letters and reports in local newspapers. It could be seen on news reels in the town’s cinema. Still, more soldiers and nurses were needed and recruitment continued
At Dumfries Museum pupils can meet a member of the recruitment committee who will put them through their paces and the matron from the local World War One Auxiliary Hospital will describe how Voluntary Aid Nurses were trained and what they were expected to do.
The workshops will be run by costumed interpreters Jackie and Chris Lee from Artemis Scotland Ltd, a historical interpretation business based in Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway. There are still workshops available to book and teachers are invited to contact Dumfries Museum on 01387 253374 to take up this unique opportunity.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chair of the Council’s Community and Customer Services commented; “It is important that we learn the lessons of the past and events like these are a hands-on way for museum visitors to appreciate the impact of World War One on previous generations. Whilst the workshops for school classes will be both practical and fun, they will also introduce the children to a very serious subject.”
Museums Officer Fiona Wilson said: “World War One is a difficult topic, but we are providing hands on workshops and interactive experiences which offer learning opportunities for all ages and give people alternative ways to approach this subject.”
The Next of Kin exhibition and associated workshops are supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government.
For further information contact: Fiona Wilson, Museums Officer
Telephone: 01387 253374 E-Mail: [email protected]
Photgraphs attached:
3535 – Visitor Nellie Machling with original World War One artefacts and the reproduction Princess Mary tin and shell casing art work that she made
3546 Joel and Kieran Carter and Neil Saha with the pin cushions they made inspired by an original World War One pincushion made as a gift.
3555 – Scarlet Davidson and Ellie McDonald busy making their “tokens of affection” pin cushions.
Background Notes:
Next of Kin, an exhibition created by National Museums Scotland, opens on Saturday 21 March at Dumfries Museum. It presents a picture of Scotland during the First World War through treasured objects from official and private sources, passed to close relatives and down through generations.
The exhibition was previously shown at the National War Museum in Edinburgh Castle, and Dumfries will be the first of eight touring venues around Scotland. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government. Each of the host venues will be adding material from their own collections to tell local stories which reflect the themes of the exhibition.
Notes to Editors
1.National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe and looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our four museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
2.DUMFRIES MUSEUM AND CAMERA OBSCURA, The Observatory, Rotchell Road, Dumfries, DG2 7SW, Tel: 01387 253374
Dumfries Museum is a treasure house of history in Dumfries and Galloway telling the story of the land and people of the region. On show are fossil footprints left by prehistoric animals, the wildlife of the Solway, tools and weapons of our earliest people, stone carvings by Scotland’s first Christians and the everyday things of the Victorian farm, workshop and home. The museum also has activity trails and gallery investigations, visitor information and a shop with unusual and nostalgic toys, gifts and pocket money buys. A lively programme of temporary exhibitions, events and workshops ensures that there is something for every visitor. Part of the museum is in a converted 18th century windmill tower which has the oldest working camera obscura situated on the top floor. Weather permitting, Camera Obscura presentations are available every day April to September and on Saturdays October to March.
Open all year
April – September
Monday – Saturday
10am – 5pm
Sunday 2pm – 5pm
October – March
Tuesday – Saturday
10am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm
Admission free
Camera Obscura presentations £2.80 (concessions £1.40)
3.The First World War Centenary Partnership, established by the Imperial War Museum, is a network of over 1,800 cultural and educational not-for-profit organisations from 39 countries, who are producing a collective programme of events, activities and resources from 2014 to 2018 to mark the centenary, with over 500 new exhibitions and galleries opening around the world.
