Glenesk Folk Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1955 |
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| Location | Tarfside, Angus, Scotland DD9 7YT |
The Glenesk Folk Museum is a cool place to visit in the beautiful Glen Esk valley. You can find it in a small village called Tarfside, in Angus, Scotland. It's about 9 miles (14 km) north of Edzell.
The museum is inside an old building called 'The Retreat'. This building used to be a special house where wealthy people, like the Earls of Dalhousie, would stay when they went hunting. Today, the museum shows off old items and papers that tell the story of the area.
Contents
Discovering Glenesk's Past
How the Museum Started
The Glenesk Folk Museum opened its doors in 1955. A local schoolteacher named Greta Michie had a great idea. She was inspired by similar museums in Scandinavia and wanted to create one for her own community.
The building, 'The Retreat', has an interesting history too. It was first built in the 1840s as a retirement home. Later, it became a large house for hunting trips and a summer home for the Earls of Dalhousie. After a while, it wasn't used much. Lord and Lady Dalhousie then helped Greta Michie set up the museum there.
Modern Updates for Visitors
The museum got a big makeover and was made even better in 2007. This helped it welcome more visitors and show off its collections in new ways.
What You Can See: Museum Collections
Exploring Themed Rooms
Inside the museum, you'll find different rooms, each with a special theme. Some rooms focus on music, showing old instruments. Others display historical clothing and costumes.
Stepping Back in Time: 1850s Rooms
One of the coolest parts is seeing rooms that look just like they did in the 1850s. There's even a children's room from that time, showing what toys and furniture kids used to have.
Family History and Records
The museum also has a special room for people who want to research their family history. It holds old records like Census information from 1841 to 1891. You can also find some birth, marriage, and death records from the Glen and nearby areas like Edzell and Lethnot. This room has computers to help with your research.
Musical Treasures
There's a small collection of musical instruments. One special item is a unique violin that was played for many years by a street musician in Aberdeen. Another interesting piece is a coach horn. This horn was used locally as late as the 1930s on one of the last horse-drawn stagecoaches in the United Kingdom.
Fun Things to Do and See
Shop, Cafe, and More
Since it first opened, 'The Retreat' has sold local products. Today, you can still find unique items in the gift shop. There's also a cafe where you can grab some snacks and drinks.
Outdoor Adventures and Workshops
The museum offers more than just indoor exhibits. It has a nature trail where you can explore the outdoors. There's also a children's play area for younger visitors. The museum often holds craft workshops, music shows, and storytelling events.
See also
- List of music museums
