The McManus facts for kids
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Former name | Albert Institute |
|---|---|
| Established | 1867 |
| Location | Dundee, Scotland |
The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum is a fantastic place in the heart of Dundee, Scotland. It's a beautiful building built in a style called Gothic Revival, which means it looks like old medieval churches. Inside, you'll find amazing art, cool historical items, and even a collection of natural history. It's so special that it's protected as a Category A listed building, meaning it's very important to Scotland's history and heritage.
Contents
A Look Inside The McManus
The McManus is home to many different collections. You can explore fine art, which includes paintings and sculptures. There are also decorative arts, like fancy furniture and pottery. Plus, you can discover the natural world with its natural history collection.
What You Can See
The museum has a wide range of exhibits. You can see art from local artists, like James McIntosh Patrick and Alberto Morrocco. There are also interesting historical objects that tell the story of Dundee and its people. It's a great place to learn about art, history, and even nature!
The Story of The McManus
The idea for this building started a long time ago. People wanted to create a special place to remember Prince Albert. They imagined a building with rooms for talks, a museum, an art gallery, and a library for students.
How It Was Built
The people of Dundee helped pay for the building. A famous architect named George Gilbert Scott designed it. He was known for his love of the Gothic style. Construction began in 1865. The ground was a bit tricky because it was built on a former wetland. This meant they had to use large wooden beams to support the building. The Albert Institute, as it was first called, opened its doors in 1867.
Growing Bigger
Later, the building got even bigger! By 1889, two more sections were added. These new parts included four more art galleries and four more museum galleries. The museum also took in items from the Watt Institute, which had been founded in 1848. The civic museum and art gallery officially opened in 1873.
A New Name
For many years, the building was part of the public library service. Then, in 1959, the city took over running it. After some big renovations, the building was renamed to honor Maurice McManus. He was the Lord Provost (like a mayor) of Dundee from 1962 to 1967. After another big update in 2010, it became known as The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.
Keeping It Strong
In 1976, some cracks were found in the building. Engineers discovered that parts of it were sinking a little. So, in 1979, they worked to fix it. They put in strong concrete supports and new beams to make sure the building would be safe and last for many more years.
Modern Day McManus
The building closed for a major upgrade on October 24, 2005. This big project cost £7.8 million! It was reopened to the public on February 28, 2010. Today, many of the museum's items are kept safe at the former Carnegie Library on Barrack Street.
Images for kids
-
Sir John Lavery RA RSA RHA (1856–1941). 1915. Oil on canvas. 1915. 175.6 x 200.7 cm. Collection: The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.
-
The Riders of the Sidhe by John Duncan, 1911. McManus Galleries, Dundee.
.jpg)
