‘a tragedy not to preserve now, while there is still time’

Both material and non-material collections held by National Museums NI will be examined as part of the project in order to build up a picture of the museum’s earliest days, from its proposed inception following the opening of the Belfast Museum & Art Gallery in 1929, to its own eventual opening in 1964. Research questions will establish how various factors, from key supporters to political events, influenced the museum’s trajectory, and consideration will be given to how these findings can help inform the museum’s strategic approach in the 21st century. 

The project comes at an opportune time as the museum begins an ambitious ‘Reawakening’ programme, designed to expand its role as a heritage and environment resource. Proposals include an iconic new Culture Hub, welcoming visitors to the museum and providing new exhibition spaces that will allow the museum to be better explained and open up opportunities for new research and content. A fuller understanding of the museum’s establishment and development is central to this work.