North Down Museum
+44 28 9127 1200

As we are currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the museum has put the recent 'What We Wore' exhibition online to give people who may have missed it, the opportunity to view it. The exhibition which showcases the museum's small but fascinating clothing collection, originally opened in The Long Gallery at the end of September and includes garments ranging from civic ceremonial robes to wedding dresses and children's clothes. We hope you enjoy this virtual version. Cli...ck here to view: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/what-we-wore-exhibition

Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum will close from 6pm this evening for the weekend. This is a precautionary measure while we await further guidance from the NI Executive regarding the new COVID-19 restrictions announced on Wednesday. We will provide further updates as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.... https://andculture.org.uk/

*Post edit - please note the museum is closed on Mondays* Step back in time at North Down Museum's new clothing exhibition. Entitled 'What We Wore', the exhibit...ion showcases items from the museum's collection. Ranging from civic ceremonial robes to military uniforms to wedding dresses and children's garments, the display is a fascinating insight into fashion from bygone eras. The museum is always looking to expand its collection. Can you help? Do you have an old outfit sitting in the back of the wardrobe that is never worn? Perhaps you have cleared the roof space or garage and found an old box of clothing you were thinking of giving to the charity shop? Items from the 1960's to the modern day are particularly welcome. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact the museum at: [email protected] The exhibition can be viewed in the museum's Long Gallery until Wednesday 2 December. Admission is free. North Down Museum's Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 3pm Sunday: 12noon - 3pm For more information visit: https://andculture.org.uk/

The 60’s in Bangor - North Down Museum needs your help! The museum is appealing for objects for their ‘60’s in Bangor Exhibition’ which is currently on display... in their Community Gallery. Have you done a clear-out recently? Maybe you’ve rummaged through your roof-space or tidied out your garage and found some pieces of nostalgia from the 1960’s in Bangor? If you have any old photos, programmes, leaflets, postcards, clothing or anything else of interest relating to that era, which could be part of the display, please get in touch with the museum at: [email protected] https://andculture.org.uk/

***Exclusive *** Our penultimate Vintage Friday Flicks film is a beautiful dream sequence of Bangor from the 1960s. Every famous Bangor landmark from this time ...features in this short clip, from the Tonic to Barry's; the Tudor Theatre to some amazing dance footage from inside Caproni's. This clip, courtesy of UTV (Copyright UTV), entitled 'Bangor Footage: BAI Project Preview' has just been digitised by Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive as part of the BAI's Archiving Project (2), and is not currently available online. The full clip will be available later in the year. Find out more about the project here: https://digitalfilmarchive.net//first-glimpse-of-bai-foota We believe this footage has not been seen since it was first aired in 1960. You are in for a treat...enjoy! Northern Ireland Screen #northernirelandscreen County Down Spectator Belfast Live Awesome Bangor Northern Ireland Bangor, past, present and future BANGOR THROUGH THE YEARS..... North Down Museum Ards and North Down Borough Council

EAT OUT TO HELP OUT Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of August. Call in between 10-3 to get 50% off your bill (up to 10)

Mayor Donates Vegetables from Bangor Castle Walled Garden to Local Foodbanks Vegetables grown in Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden have been donated to two local fo...odbanks Bangor Foodbank and Community Support as well as Newtownards Foodbank ensuring that those in need will benefit from the Garden’s delicious produce. The Walled Garden is one of the most popular attractions in the Borough. Designed during the 1840s, it was officially opened to the public in 2009 and visitors enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Council’s meticulously maintained gardens on a daily basis. Produce grown in the Garden is usually sold in North Down Museum and the funds raised are donated to the Mayor’s supported charities. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, it was not possible to sell the vegetables this year. Instead, the produce has been donated to the foodbanks that the Mayor is supporting during his term. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Trevor Cummings, said: The Council’s gardening team always do a tremendous job in maintaining the Walled Garden and they have ensured that the vegetables flourished under very challenging circumstances this year. Both of the foodbanks are among my supported charities and have provided a tremendous service to the public during the pandemic. Recent data released shows that Trussell Trust foodbanks recorded a 142% increase in people requiring emergency food parcels in Northern Ireland. However, in Bangor they recorded an increase of 432% in June, as well as a 535% increase for the number of children receiving support, so I’m pleased to be able to support our local foodbanks and the people of Ards and North Down in this way. Bangor Foodbank and Community Support (BFCS) was launched in 2012 and is a member of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks. Supported by a network of businesses, churches and individuals, BFCS has provided a daily safety net for at-risk families, the elderly and individuals in North Down for almost eight years. The Newtownards Foodbank opened in 2011 and was the first Trussell Trust Foodbank in Northern Ireland. It has served the community in Newtownards and the surrounding borough by supplying emergency food parcels and support to local people. Due to the pandemic, many of the Mayor's charity events are unable to take place. However, if you wish to make a donation to the charities, contact the Mayor’s office on 0300 013 3333 or email [email protected]

Explore the Industrial and Commercial Heritage of Ards and North Down at North Down Museum. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this exhibition has be...en produced during the course of North Down Museum's 'Industrial and Commercial Heritage of Ards and North Down Project.' The aim of this project was to provide local heritage groups with skills and resources to undertake and collate research for archive and publication, whilst exploring the rich industrial and commercial heritage of their locality. Visitors to the exhibition can explore the impact of the development of local industries and how they helped shape communities. The exhibition is currently running in the museum's Long Gallery. Admission is free. North Down Museum opening times: Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 3pm Sundays: 12noon - 3pm. https://andculture.org.uk/

Another great reason to visit us

North Down Museum will reopen its doors to visitors on Tuesday 28 July, with new limited opening hours: Tuesday Saturday, 10am 3pm and Sunday, 12noon 3pm.... To make your visit as safe as possible, a one-way system will be in operation and visitors will be encouraged to sanitise their hands at various hand sanitisation stations located around the building. Group sizes should be kept to a minimum and people will be encouraged to respect social distancing. Coffee Cure, the Museum’s coffee shop will also reopen on the same date and operate under the same new opening hours. Speaking about the opening, The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Trevor Cummings, said: North Down Museum is much-loved by local residents and visitors to Bangor. It’s filled with interesting artefacts that detail the history of the area and is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about our wonderful borough. I’m delighted that the doors are opening again and I’m looking forward to seeing more visitors enjoy everything that the museum has to offer. Admission to the Museum is free, no advanced booking is required. For more information visit: www.northdownmuseum.com

International Museum Day - ICOM The NI Museum Council along with 8 local museums are registered as working to become dementia friendly with the Alzheimer's Soci...ety. Through inclusive and accessible programming and making environmental adjustments these museums are creating inclusive museums for everyone by working to removing the barriers to participation and providing access to heritage. The museums partner with Dementia NI to ensure programming is relevant and reflective of needs. Armagh Robinson Library & No 5 Armagh County Museum North Down Museum Northern Ireland War Memorial Tower Museum Ballymoney Museum HMS Caroline Mid Antrim Museum Mid and East Antrim Borough Council #IMD2020 #Museums4Equality

A beautiful reminder on day 6 of #MuseumWeek2020 of how #TechnologyMW can highlight and enhance museum collections. Here we have a miniature Japanese ivory Okim...ono of a workman and two children from the Sir John Newell Jordan Collection in the North Down Museum. The digital photograph of the piece was prepared in illustrator software, sent to the laser printer, et voila, behold this gorgeous multi-textured wood engraving!! Reimagine Remake Replay Nerve Centre National Lottery Heritage Fund #kickthedust #MuseumWeek #digitalmuseums

‘Bringing North Down Museum to you’ Another #throwback photo from North Down Museum’s Collection: The Switchback Railway at Kingsland. Kingsland, at one time on the edge of Bangor town, was home to the Pleasure Grounds. In 1889 Lady Clanmorris of Bangor Castle opened the switchback railway, believed to be the longest example in Britain. The local press reported: ...going downhill has a marvellous effect; completely taking away your breath... this produces the most lovely bl...ushes on the ladies’ faces and makes them so attractive no man could help proposing. However, it was destroyed in the ‘Great Storm’ of 22 December 1894. The ground was eventually purchased by Bangor Council in 1915 and was redesigned as a public park. In summer, Barry’s Amusements operated a temporary funfair in the park. - - #northdownmuseum #throwbackthursday #oldphotos #museumfromhome #irishmuseumsonline #ardsandnorthdown #andbc #bangorni See more

This evening We sounded our World War II siren at 8pm to coincide with Clap for our Carers and VE Day 75. You can view the video below:

This digital exhibition explores the end of the Second World War and the lead up to Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Told through the stories of local people, the theme of liberation runs through its narrative from the turning point of D-Day through to the celebrations of VE Day in May 1945 #VEDay75 #ANDVirtualVE75

Biodiversity - New Residents at North Down Museum! Our new bird nest camera box, erected in our courtyard last year, has its first residents: a pair of nesting Blue Tits. The birds have been extremely busy collecting material for the nest over the last couple of weeks: no eggs yet but we are hopeful for updates.... Some Facts and Figures Blue Tits usually raise just a single brood of chicks each spring Most begin building their nest in March with eggs usually laid April into early May Laying a clutch of up to 14 eggs the female may produce one egg a day for two weeks. She won’t begin incubating until the last one is laid The female generally weighs 10 grams, in comparison each egg may weigh a hefty 1 gram The female can spend up to 15 days incubating Once hatched, chicks spend around three weeks in the nest before fledging.