Tower Museum facts for kids
The Tower Museum is a cool place to learn about the history of Derry, a city in Northern Ireland. It's a museum that tells the story of the area, from ancient times to today.
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Discovering the Tower Museum
When the Museum Opened
The Tower Museum first opened its doors in 1992. Important people like Ian Paisley and John Hume were there for the opening. The museum got money from the European Development Fund and the International Fund for Ireland. These groups helped make sure the museum could be built.
How the Museum Was Built
The museum was built through a special kind of teamwork. This is called a public-private partnership. It means that both government groups and private companies worked together. The goal was to create a great place for visitors. Local newspapers even called it "magnificent" when it opened.
Where to Find the Museum
The Tower Museum is in a really old tower. This tower is right inside the famous city walls. It's also close to the historic Guildhall. From the top of the museum, you can see amazing views. You can look out over the city centre and the River Foyle.
What You Can See Inside
The museum has two main exhibits that are always there.
- The Story of Derry: This exhibit takes you on a journey through time. It shows the history of Derry from its very first days. You can learn about how the city grew and changed.
- An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera: This part of the museum is super interesting. It tells the story of a real shipwreck. A ship from the Spanish Armada sank nearby a long time ago. You can see items found from this shipwreck.
The museum also has the Mabel Colhoun collection. This is a special group of items gathered by Mabel Colhoun.
Special Exhibits and Displays
The Tower Museum often has new and exciting temporary exhibits. These change throughout the year. In 2021, the museum got a small model, called a maquette, of the "Hands Across the Divide" sculpture. This model is now on display for everyone to see.
The museum had its most visitors ever in 2023. This was because of a special exhibit about the popular TV show Derry Girls. Many people came to see items and learn about the show.
Awards and Recognition
The Tower Museum has won several awards. These awards show that it is a well-loved and important museum. Its permanent exhibit about the city's history is a big reason for this recognition.
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