Montrose Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1841 |
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| Location | Panmure Place, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8HE |
The Montrose Museum is a fascinating place in Montrose, Angus, Scotland. It first opened its doors in 1842. The idea for the museum started in 1841 when a group called the Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society wanted more space. They needed a bigger home for their amazing collection of items. These items included rocks, objects from different cultures, natural history displays, and beautiful artworks. In June 2009, the museum received special recognition from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
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About the Museum Building
Before 1842, the museum's collection was kept at a local school. But in 1842, the museum moved into its very own building. This was one of the first buildings in Scotland made just for a museum! The building is made of pink sandstone and looks like an ancient Greek or Roman temple. It has tall, grand columns at the front. Inside, the collection is displayed in a large, open area. The museum was updated and made easier to access between October 2009 and 2010.
What You Can See: The Collections
The museum has many interesting things to explore.
Ancient Finds
You can see ancient objects found by archaeologists. These include tools and items from the Neolithic (New Stone Age) and the Bronze Age. There are also special stones from the Pictish people. The Picts were an ancient group who lived in what is now Angus, Scotland. One famous stone is the Inchbrayock Stone, which is also Pictish and dates back to 850-950 AD. The museum also has 38 ancient Egyptian items from a city called Thebes.
Montrose History and Art
The museum tells the story of the town of Montrose. It also features the life of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. He was an important figure in Scottish military history.
Next to the main museum is an art gallery. This gallery often shows art by talented local artists. Some of these artists include William Lamb, Edward Baird, and many others like Rowena Comrie and Colin McPherson.
Upstairs Discoveries
On the mezzanine level, you can learn about the history of whaling on Scotland's east coast. Whaling was a big industry in the past. You'll also see an impressive collection of model boats. In a dimly lit room at the top of the building, there are displays of local wildlife. These are animals that have been preserved through taxidermy. There's also a small geology display with a collection of shiny semi-precious agate stones.
Getting Involved: The Community
The Montrose Museum is a lively place for the community. They often have fun activities for children. There are also talks in the afternoons and special events in the evenings for everyone. The art gallery frequently displays artwork created by local groups. For example, in 2008, a music group called the Amici Wind Quintet from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama performed at the museum.
