Dumfries Museum

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{{Infobox building

| name = Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura

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| image = Dumfries_Museum_Windmill_tower_at_night.jpg

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| caption = Exterior view of the Camera Obscura

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| architectural_style = Victorian and modern

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| location_town = Dumfries

| location_country = Scotland

| coordinates = {{coord|55.0652|-3.6146|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

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| renovation_date = 2011

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Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, located in Dumfries in Dumfries & Galloway, is the largest museum in the region. The museum has extensive collections relating to local and history from the pre-historic era. The museum also has the world's oldest working camera obscura. Admission is free, though a small fee applies for the camera obscura.

Collections

The museum's collections cover all material relating to the natural history and human pre-history of the region, from geology to dress, folk material, archaeology and early photographs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/about/partner-museums/a-z-list-of-partners/dumfries-museum-camera-obscura.aspx|title=Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura}}

Notable artefacts include:

  • A cast of the skull of Robert the Bruce as well as femur and foot bones.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/lives-in-key-periods/the-medieval-period-(1100ad-1499ad)/wars-of-independence/robert-(i)-the-bruce/robert-the-bruce,-cast-of-his-skull.aspx|title = Robert the Bruce, cast of his skull}}
  • A Bronze Age cist burial including the remains of a 35-year-old man from the beaker people.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/lives-in-key-periods/archaeology/the-bronze-age/ritual/cist-burial,-mainsriddle,-colvend-and-southwick.aspx|title=Cist burial, Mainsriddle, Colvend and Southwick}}
  • A large collection of Roman and Celtic stone crosses and funerary monuments.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/lives-in-key-periods/archaeology/roman/ritual-and-religion.aspx|title = Ritual and religion}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/lives-in-key-periods/archaeology/early-medieval-(400ad-1099ad)/early-christians.aspx|title = Early Christians}}
  • A replica of the first bicycle, as designed by Kirkpatrick Macmillan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/science-invention/kirkpatrick-macmillan/replica-of-kirkpatrick-macmillans-bicycle.aspx|title = Replica of Kirkpatrick Macmillan's bicycle}}
  • The photographic archive of Dr Werner Kissling.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/collectors-explorers/dr-werner-kissling.aspx|title = Dr Werner Kissling}}
  • Personal items belonging to Thomas Carlyle{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/writers-poets/thomas-carlyle.aspx|title=Thomas Carlyle}}
  • Fossil reptile tracks from the local Permian sandstone including Corncockle Quarry.{{Cite book|title=The Ichnology of Annandale or Illustrations of Footmarks Impressed on the New Red Sandstone of Corncockle Muir|last=Jardine|first=Sir William|year=1853}}

History

Originally built as a four-storey windmill on Corbelly hill, the highest point in Maxwelltown, in 1798, the site was purchased by Dumfries and Maxwellton Astronomical Society in 1834.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2010/06/dumfries_camera_obscura_dumfri.html|title=I like – Happy to be a part of the industry of human happiness}} Over a two-year period the tower was converted into an Observatory,{{Cite web|url=http://www.electricscotland.com/history/dumfries/history60.htm|title = History of the Burgh of Dumfries}} and with advice from polar explorer Sir John Ross, a telescope was purchased from a Mr Morton of Kilmarnock. With its completion in 1836, unfortunately the observatory missed the arrival of Halley's Comet; however, it was used in this role until 1872.

The main hall of the museum was built in 1862, and housed the collections of the newly founded Dumfries and Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society. In 1981 a major addition of a new gallery, shop, search room and offices for curatorial staff was added. In 2011 the exterior of the windmill tower was refurbished.{{Cite web|url=http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dumfries/museum/|title=Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland}}

Camera Obscura

The camera obscura is currently the oldest working example in the world, and has been in continuous operation since 1836.{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/dumfries-museum-and-camera-obscura-p251151|title=Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, Dumfries – Museums}} The instrument, based in the top level of the windmill tower, offers a complete 360° panorama of the surrounding landscape. The image is projected onto a focusing table below, and operated using a simple rope mechanism.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2010/06/dumfries_camera_obscura_dumfri.html|title=I like – Happy to be a part of the industry of human happiness}} In order to protect the instrument it is only operated during the summer months and on days when weather conditions are clear.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15737/Dumfries-Museum-and-Camera-Obscura|title = Dumfries Museum - DG Culture | Dumfries and Galloway Culture | Museums and galleries - Dumfries and Galloway Council | Festivals | Events | Exhibitions | Whats on Dumfries and Galloway}} The museums photographic expert for thirty years was Werner Kissling who donated his photos to the museum when he died.{{Cite web |title=Dr Werner Kissling |url=http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/collections/people/key-people/collectors-explorers/dr-werner-kissling.aspx |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.futuremuseum.co.uk}}

References