Isle Of Man’s First National Museum Marks 100 Years

The Isle of Man’s first national museum is marking a century since it opened its doors for the first time.

But unlike other Victorian museums, the Manx Museum did not feature stuffed exotic animals and treasures from far-off lands.

Instead, it showcased Manx history, and the story of the everyday people of the Isle of Man.

Katie King, who curated a new exhibition marking the centenary, said that approach was “ground-breaking”.

The museum houses collections featuring natural and social history, archaeology, art, clothing and furniture, as well as the library and archives.

Ms King said, in contrast to its contemporary Victorian museums, which were attempting to “teach world history”, the Manx Museum was set up to “educate island people about themselves”.

Ordinary items were collected alongside more spectacular artefacts

She said: “Other museums were collecting from all over the world and we were just collecting ourselves, which might sound a bit naval gazing, but it wasn’t because the world was changing so dramatically.”

Although the collections include “really culturally significant objects” like Captain John Quilliam’s uniform from the Battle of Trafalgar, everyday objects like spinning wheels, butter bowls and things “that you might keep on your fireplace” were also kept, Ms King said.

“They were collecting ordinary things, and most importantly stories of ordinary people”, including songs and recordings of native Manx speakers and Manx dialects, she added.