Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura

Hat Trick

12 November 2011 — 11 February 2012 *on now

For centuries the hats men wear have served as status symbols and fashion accessories as well as being functional and protective. From the formal, stiff top hats worn by the aristocrats and professionals of the 19th century to the soft felt berets favoured by intellectuals and artists, men’s hats have made important statements about the individuals who chose to wear them.

This quirky exhibition, based on Dumfries Museum’s own collections, explores how social change has been reflected in the styles, designs and fabrics of this most commonplace of clothing items.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Where

Dumfries Museum

Website

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums

Animal, Vegetable and Mineral

25 February — 6 May 2012

This exhibition celebrates the vast wealth of treasures that have been collected by the people of this region and that are now cared for at Dumfries Museum. How were the collections formed, who were the key collectors, and what should we add to the collection in the future?

From the bandaged head of an Ancient Egyptian mummy to a collection of Scottish lichens, from the earliest fossils to an elaborately carved 17th century Norwegian powder horn and from the skin of a sloth to samples from the Indian Ocean telegraph cable, the variety is remarkable!

This exhibition pays tribute to the collectors as well as their collections, and recognises the special role played by Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society as members celebrate their 150th anniversary this year.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Where

Dumfries Museum

Website

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums

Foyer exhibition - Down the Dock

28 January — 29 December 2012 *on now

This exhibition reveals the story of Dumfries Dock. This narrow strip of land along the east bank of the River Nith was not only the town’s harbour, it served as a gathering place, a pasture and a meadow, provided orchards and nurseries, bleaching fields and drying greens, it was the town’s first ever industrial area, later becoming a tree-lined riverside promenade, and finally a popular municipal park.

2012 marks the centenary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, and this exhibition will also focus on the memorial to the disaster which is located in the park, and tells the story of the men from Dumfries who lost their lives in the accident.

Suitable for

• Any age

Where

Dumfries Museum

Website

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums

Zoolab – Nightlife!

14 February 2012

A dramatic tale of how our intrepid Ranger got lost in the jungle and found himself stranded far below the earth in a deep, dark cave. Here he meets an astonishing group of animals adapted to living in the dark. Through activities, slide show and animal handling we will discover how animals have adapted to live in dark places and meet some of them that do! Suitable for children aged 3 years and over.

1 hour sessions at 10.00am, 11.15am, 1.15pm and 2.30pm

Please note, booking via Dumfries Museum is required for this event.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

When

10am-3:30pm

Where

Dumfries Museum

Website

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums

Yuri's Night

14 April 2012

Yuri’s Night is an international celebration held in April every year to commemorate two separate space exploration milestones. The first milestone was the launch of the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin on 12 April 1961. The second was the launch of the first Space Shuttle, STS-1, on 12 April 1981. The goal of Yuri’s Night is to increase public interest in space exploration and to inspire a new generation of explorers.

Come along and enjoy an evening of short talks and live music! The usual excellent refreshments.
No booking is required.

A joint event with Dumfries Astronomy Society.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

When

7-9pm

Where

Dumfries Museum

Website

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums