Stewartry Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1879 |
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| Location | St Mary Street Kirkcudbright Scotland DG6 4AQ |
| Type | Local museum |
The Stewartry Museum is a cool local museum in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. It's a great place to learn all about the history of this special part of Galloway.
Contents
A Look Back: Museum History
How the Museum Started
The Stewartry Museum first opened its doors in 1879. Back then, it was located on the top floor of the Kirkcudbright Town Hall. It started small, but its collection of interesting items quickly grew.
New Home and New Management
Because the museum's collection got so big, it needed a new home. So, in 1893, the museum moved to its current building. This building was specially designed by an architect named Robert Wallace. For many years, the Stewartry Museum Association took care of the museum. Then, in 1990, the local council took over. Later, in 1996, the management of the museum was passed to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
What You Can See: Museum Collections
Amazing Artifacts and Treasures
The museum's collections mostly show the history of people and nature in the Stewartry area, also known as Kirkcudbrightshire. The museum, along with the Kirkcudbright Galleries, has two collections of art and old objects that are recognized nationally as very important.
One of the coolest things you can see is the Siller Cup. It's one of the oldest sports trophies still around in the United Kingdom! The museum also displays items that show how people lived long ago. You can see traditional crafts and tools used for farming.
Ancient Finds and Viking Weapons
The museum has many ancient items found by archaeologists. These include things from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, like old arrowheads and axe heads. You can also see items from later times, including real Viking weapons! The museum often receives new finds from a program called the Treasure Trove scheme. This scheme makes sure important historical items found in Scotland are kept safe.
The Stewartry Museum also has a large collection of old papers and records. These tell stories about local families, the town, and how people lived. Some old town records even mention interesting stories from past court cases. You can also see many old everyday objects and examples of local plants and animals.
From the Sea to the Rocks
In 2015, the museum put a special lens from the Little Ross lighthouse on display. This huge lens was made in Paris, France, in 1896. It was used in the lighthouse until 1960, helping ships find their way. The Northern Lighthouse Board gave it to the museum in 2004.
The museum also has copies of ancient rock carvings. These carvings, called cup and ring marks, were found at High Banks Farm. There are also real stone slabs with these mysterious cup and ring marks from other places like Blackmyre and Laggan.
