Ulster Museum ver.2
October 22nd, 2009
The Ulster Museum reopened today after 3 years of major refurbishment costing £17m, I was down to see what was different, and what I still remembered. Although not much has changed on the outside, inside it is very different.
The Museum was founded as the Belfast Natural History Society in 1821 and began exhibiting in 1833. It has included an art gallery since 1890. Originally called the Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery, in 1929, it museum moved to its present location. The new building was designed by James Cumming Wynne.
[from wikipedia]
As I child I was brought here many times. To the point where I was so terribly bored of the place and was not very happy when either of my parents (normally my Mother) said we were going. But it wasn’t far from the house so it was one of the handiest ways to keep me (and my younger brother) occupied, and at no cost.
Without knowing it was to close in a matter of weeks, I took trip there 3 years ago, having not been in quite a while. I enjoyed it again. Now, having been completely revamped and modernised it’s great all over again. So there’s no water turbine and that lovely sound of the water as it splashes back into the pool below, and, in parts, the route is slightly less defined, though I having walked around today I can think of very few other criticisms.
Much of the interior can still be recognised from its previous incarnation, much of the same flooring can be found throughout, the same steps to new levels/half levels, similar archways, and rooms that look the same shape as before. However, it’s bright, open, contemporary, fresh and items are laid out in a much clearer way, with written words in large type and made easy to understand.
One of the first exhibits is one on The Troubles; clearly displayed and easy to understand, including a time line of major events:
One of the centre pieces of the Museum has always been the mummified body and case of Takabuti from Western Thebes, known to be between 20 and 30yrs. Brought to Belfast in 1834 it was unwrapped in 1835 by the Belfast Natural History Society’s museum then located at College Square North.
New to the museum is a reconstructed head depicting what Takabuti would have looked like back in 660BC. More info on the Ulster Museum’s website.
A couple of police officers were browsing the newly opened exhibits while I was there
As before, there is still a large collection of stuffed animals, including many extinct animals.
And a large collection of bones; including those of dinosaurs, such as the T-Rex skull.
I didn’t realise the Dodo was so big.
Hippopotamus lower jaw
Although I didn’t stop to pay much attention to the individual exhibits and artefacts as I made my way from point A back to point A again, finding points B and C along the way – though completely accidentally. My objective was to simply “see” as much as possible, with plans to go back in the next couple of weeks for a more detailed look at it all. I recommend either at this point, and both will be thoroughly enjoyable.
[I realise now that "ver.3" in the title may be more accurate as it was originally based in College Square East before moving to its current location in 1929.]
