Preserving or Plundering? The Influence of Sir Hans Sloane on Modern Museums

'Preserving or Plundering? Sir Hans Sloane to Modern Museums' is a free course that Down County Museum is offering to people living in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.

The course, which will begin on Tuesday 4 February 2020 at 7pm in Down County Museum, will look at the life and achievements of Sir Hans Sloane, a native of Killyleagh, as well as focusing on his legacy and the issues facing museums today. As part of the initiative, three study trips will be included.

The scheme is part of a Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Shared History and Culture programme, a project supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The PEACE IV Programme is a cross-community initiative designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. The EU’s PEACE IV Programme also contributes to the promotion of social and economic stability, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This new course is an exciting opportunity for people living in our district. The cross community project focuses on one of our most illustrious natives and on his impact on the development of museums and collections. I would urge all those interested in examining attitudes to collecting and interpreting cultural items from around the world to take advantage of this PEACE funded course.

The project is seeking to recruit 20-30 interested participants from throughout the community. The course will run from February to April 2020 and be based mainly in Down County Museum. Participants should be resident within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area and be able to commit to the requirements of the entire 26-hour PEACE IV course. 

The course will give participants free access to a series of three study visits to the Ulster Museum (The Troubles Gallery), The Robinson Library and Armagh Museum and The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. A key component of this course will be increasing understanding of cultural diversity and how this has been reflected in museums.

Lectures by a series of experts will include talks on Sir Hans Sloane’s early life in Killyleagh; Hans Sloane, the Physician and Scientist; Hans Sloane’s links to the British Museum with video tour of the Enlightenment Gallery, as well as talks and workshops on issues facing modern museums and collecting and preserving the past. Clive Scoular, local historian, will lead a talk and tour of Killyleagh on Saturday 8 February from 10am as part of the course.

Participants will be involved in producing some learning resources. Entrance fees, refreshments and transport will be provided.

Please email the course coordinator, Shirley Lennon, at shirley.keneraconsulting@gmail.com or ring 0771 808 4708 if you are interested in attending. Registration is essential.

Match funding for this project has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.