Museum of Edinburgh facts for kids
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| Former name | Huntly House |
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| Location | 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD, United Kingdom |
The Museum of Edinburgh is an exciting place to explore the history of Edinburgh, Scotland. It's located in a historic building called Huntly House on the Canongate. This museum is like a giant maze, full of interesting rooms that show how Edinburgh has changed over hundreds of years.
You can discover amazing things here. For example, there's an original copy of the National Covenant. This important document was signed at Greyfriars Kirk in 1638. You can also see a recreated office of Field Marshal Earl Haig. This was his headquarters during the Great War on the Western Front. Many items in this exhibit were given to the museum by Earl Haig himself.
The museum is in the heart of Edinburgh. It's easy for both locals and visitors to find. The building itself is quite old, built in the late 1500s. It stands three stories tall and has a unique yellow outside. The City of Edinburgh Council takes care of the museum today.
A Look Back in Time
The building where the museum is now, Huntly House, was built around 1570. It was originally for important members of the Clan Gordon. One famous person linked to it was George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly.
Later, in 1647, a group of metalworkers called the Incorporation of Hammermen bought Huntly House. They used it as their main office. They even made the building bigger with the help of an architect named Robert Mylne.
In 1924, the city bought the building to save it from being torn down. That's when it became the Museum of Edinburgh. Even today, many local people still call it Huntly House.
The museum has even been featured on TV! It appeared in Season 3 of the show Outlander.
What You'll Discover
The Museum of Edinburgh has incredible collections of decorative art. These items show the rich history of Scottish craftsmanship. You can see beautiful glass that has been cut and engraved. There's also intricate silver from Edinburgh and the Canongate.
The museum also displays old costumes and tall grandfather clocks. You can find Scottish pottery and porcelain here too. Some of these pieces date all the way back to the 1760s.
The Museum of Edinburgh has about 220,000 items in total. These items are all about the city of Edinburgh. Four of its collections are so important that the Scottish government has recognized them for their National Significance. The museum truly tells the story of Edinburgh from its very beginning to today. You can even see the original plans for Edinburgh's "New Town" by James Craig inside the museum.
Fun Ways to Learn
The Museum of Edinburgh is a great place for families to learn together. You can explore the museum using special worksheets. Or you can go on "detective quests" if you like hands-on activities. If you prefer a quieter experience, there's a reading corner. You can also explore a special area with different objects.
Throughout the museum, you'll find baskets filled with textures and art materials. These help you explore and understand history in a fun way. The museum also changes its exhibits every season. This means there's always something new to see! In Spring 2024, a new kid-friendly exhibit called "Game On" is opening.
See also
Images for kids
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Huntly House Museum
