100+celebrating the centenary planning for the future Our vision is to create a world-class museum of learning.

Published in 2008 by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum , Park, , CF10 3NP, Wales. © The National Museum of Wales Editor: Robin Gwyn Production: Mari Gordon Design: www.nb-design.com Welsh text: Elin ap Hywel, Catherine Jones Printing: MWL Print All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of The National Museum of Wales, or the copyright owner(s), or as expressly permitted by law. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Publications Department, , CARDIFF CF10 3NP. The authors’ moral rights have been asserted. This document is available on our website, www.museumwales.ac.uk. This document has been printed on FSC certified paper. It is fully recyclable and biodegradable and produced in an EMAS registered mill that holds ISO 14001 certification. The virgin fibre in this paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 01 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

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Contents

02-03 Meet the Family 34-41 Looking forward… Cover image: close-up of the birdwing butterfly An introduction to our family A taste of our plans for the future These rare but spectacular of seven museums butterflies live in rainforests around 42-43 Thank you south-east Asia and Australia. Birdwings are highly prized by 04-05 Croeso! Our supporters and sponsors collectors, but their biggest threat A word from Mike Houlihan, is from habitat destruction. Logging Director General 44 Your museum, your say activity and palm oil plantations are eroding the remaining rainforest Over to you… habitat. 06-27 Looking back… Highlights of the centenary The best way we can protect birdwing butterflies is to preserve celebrations their habitat. This way the many thousands of unique plants and 28-33 The year in pictures… animals that also live with the butterflies will be protected. Some well-known names and faces In Papua New Guinea birdwing butterflies are legally protected, and butterfly ‘ranches’ have been set up. Butterfly ranching has been a successful, but small-scale, project. The buying of ranched butterflies helps to protect the wild population and their habitat. For more information about this and much more from our collections, see our new website Rhagor – www.museumwales.ac.uk/Rhagor. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 02 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Meet the family

Amgueddfa Cymru is a family of National Museum Cardiff seven museums located throughout , Cardiff Wales. Each family member gives National Museum Cardiff is unique among a unique insight into our , the UK’s national museums in its range of while sharing the Amgueddfa award-winning displays. It was home to Cymru values of excellence and the immensely popular exhibition Industry learning. to during our centenary celebrations and now houses Origins, the www.museumwales.ac.uk innovative new exhibition. Work is currently underway to completely redisplay the art collections, and to develop a concept for a natural science Big Pit: National Coal museum for Wales. The National Waterfront Museum Museum Blaenafon, Torfaen Maritime Quarter, Set in the heart of a World Heritage The National Waterfront Museum Site, Big Pit is a complete former is Wales’s newest national museum. working coal mine. It offers a It explores the effects of vivid taste of a whole way of life industrialisation and maritime trading in its award-winning displays on the lives of the people of Wales. and galleries. Visitors can join The Museum is housed in an ex-miners and make the memorable original, listed waterfront warehouse descent over 90 metres to the very linked to a new, -modern slate depths of the mine and experience and glass building. The galleries the total darkness that miners once include iconic objects from Wales’s worked in day after day. Big Pit won industrial heritage and cutting-edge the Gulbenkian Museum of the Year interactive displays. award in 2005.

The , In the original Dinorwig Quarry workshops, the National Slate Museum reveals the story of life in the Welsh slate quarrying communities. Visitors can browse the foundry, forges and sheds as well as a row of re-erected original quarryworkers’ houses. Visitors can also see the UK’s largest working waterwheel and live displays of splitting and dressing slate by hand by skilled craftsmen. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 03 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

The Dre-fach Felindre, Housed in the building that was once Cambrian Mills, this museum tells the story of life in the heart of the Welsh woollen industry. Modern galleries and displays explore the techniques and skills and take a poignant look at the lives of the workers. Located in the beautiful west-Wales countryside, visitors can follow the whole manufacturing process – from fleece to fabric.

The National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon, Newport The town of Caerleon stands on the site of one of only three permanent Roman legionary bases in Britain. Originally founded by the Caerleon Antiquarian Association in 1850, the National Roman Legion Museum has been displaying a rich collection of Roman finds in its galleries for over 150 years. Outdoors, visitors can see a reconstructed soldiers’ barracks, the amphitheatre and the newly developed Roman garden.

St Fagans: National History Museum St Fagans, Cardiff St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and Wales’s most popular visitor attraction. It features over forty historic buildings, collected from all over Wales and re-erected in the stunning grounds of St Fagans . In 2007 the new gallery Oriel 1 was opened, in order to explore the different aspects of what it means to be Welsh. Plans are currently underway to house the national archaeology collections at St Fagans, transforming it into a truly comprehensive experience of Wales’s history. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 04 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Croeso!

I love museums and galleries; they are magical playgrounds where the imagination can be turned loose. Objects can tell us hidden stories, capture our emotions and prompt our memories.

Museums open up new possibilities and trigger powerful ideas and experiences. They make us consider why the present is as it is, and what the future might hold.

I’m not alone in feeling this passion about the power of objects. During 2007, Amgueddfa Cymru’s centenary year, 1.6 million visits were made to the seven national museums in Wales – the highest annual total since the original National Museum of Wales was established in 1907.

Thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government, every visit has been free since April 2001, and museum-going in Wales has become popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 05 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

The first part of this booklet celebrates the success of the centenary year and shows that > we are in the enjoyment industry, 1.6 million as well as being an education the total amount of visits made to our museums in 2007 service. To entertain, we have to grab people’s attention through creativity, innovation – and even risk-taking. > Which brings us to the future. 9% The second part outlines our increase in visits since previous year exciting and challenging ideas for the coming decade, and how you can join us on a journey of historical, artistic and scientific exploration. > 100 years I hope you enjoy reading about our since Amgueddfa Cymru’s founding by Royal Charter plans – and that you’ll let us know what you think. > 124% the increase in visits since free entry was introduced in 2001 Michael Houlihan Director General Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales > 264,195 visits to Wales’s newest national museum, the National Waterfront Museum, in 2007/8 > 674,678 the record-breaking number of visits to St Fagans in 2007/8 Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 06 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future Looki back… Highlights of the cen ng … tenary celebrations Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 08 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

‘Belonging’ A new gallery takes a good look at who we are

In April 2007 a new gallery, Oriel 1, opened at St Fagans: National History Museum. The gallery’s first exhibition is Perthyn / Belonging. The exhibition uses four themes – voices, beliefs, family and nation – to explore just what it is that shapes our sense of who we are and where we belong.

Oriel 1 provides opportunities for people to engage with the collections and their stories at all levels – physically, intellectually So far, about 35,000 visitors have Children’s activities and family and emotionally. It creates an enjoyed this unique experience. books are brilliant! environment where visitors can Visitor comments include: bring their own memories and It was looking to the future in the experiences, and express what Feels like a living piece of history, eyes of the past. Excellent displays, it means to be Welsh in today’s not all focused on the past best I’ve seen. I would love to come Wales. again and again. Rather than telling what Welsh is, We are experimenting not only with as supposed to be, it allows Welsh Dude, this rocks! what is displayed, but how it is people to explore themselves what displayed. In some places, familiar it is to be Welsh... objects are used; in others, less Oriel 1 is sponsored by familiar objects are illustrated by It allows you time and opportunity Principality Building Society placing contemporary equivalents to explore your own thoughts on next to them. The exhibition Welsh heritage and present day in includes music and oral history, a clear environment that is as well as film and video from our informative in an informal way. collections and other organizations including the National Library of Wales and the BBC.

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From industry to Impressionism

The immensely popular exhibition their collections to the Museum on Industry to Impressionism: what their deaths, transforming Wales’s two sisters did for Wales ran at national art collection. National Museum Cardiff from July 2007 to January 2008. The Their wealth came from the exploits exhibition told the story of how of their grandfather – David Davies the extraordinary impact of the (1818-1890), popularly known as industrial revolution in Wales ‘Davies the Ocean’. From humble led to one of Europe’s finest art origins, Davies went from being collections, here in Cardiff today. a carpenter to building much of the railway system in mid-Wales, The sisters in question, Gwendoline becoming a pioneer of the south and , were among Wales coal industry and the driving Britain’s foremost art collectors in force behind the construction of the twentieth century. Although Barry dock. many people think of them as self-effacing, religious, unworldly The exhibition brought to life the women, we learnt that they were connection between a uniquely The book is available from the shop also sophisticated and well- productive and wealthy period in at National Museum Cardiff or from educated, particularly in the visual Wales’s history and the formation your local bookshop, priced £14.99. arts. The exhibition featured the of an internationally renowned art The book is also available in a sisters’ private journals and family collection that now brings pleasure Welsh-language edition, Cyfoeth, photographs – the first time these to thousands of people. celf a chydwybod, also £14.99. fascinating documents had been seen in public. These revealed their A beautiful book, published to mark The Davies Sisters left Wales a unique rich and varied experiences, from our centenary year, accompanied and priceless legacy. If you have thought volunteering in First World War the exhibition. ‘Things of beauty’: about leaving a legacy of any size to canteens to setting up music the Davies sisters and Wales was Amgueddfa Cymru please contact festivals and the . launched at the exhibition’s opening Caroline Hurley, Individual Giving and is still selling consistently many Development Officer, on (029) 2057 3145 Their love of art and music and months after the exhibition has or [email protected] their deep religious conviction closed – testament to the popular to discover how all legacies can make turned their home, fascination with this story. a difference to the work we do now – in mid-Wales, into a centre for and for the future. creativity and debate. Among ‘the contributors to this informative, Gregynog Hall’s many famous well-produced book … illuminate visitors were George Bernard Shaw, lesser known aspects of the sisters’ prime minister Stanley Baldwin and artistic interests and humanitarian composers Vaughan Williams and concerns.’ (Cambria magazine) . But perhaps the most obvious evidence today of their ‘ ‘Things of Beauty’ … is generously creativity is their outstanding art illustrated with photographs collections, including works by complementing the text admirably. (Right) Monet’s Waterlilies (1905). Just one of the Cézanne, Renoir, Degas, Manet and It is a marvellous bargain.’ many art treasures bequeathed to Amgueddfa Monet. Both sisters bequeathed (www.gwales.com) Cymru by the Davies sisters of Gregynog.

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Welsh wool hits the catwalk The National Wool Museum hosts a celebratory style show

A stunning collection of outfits ‘One of the highlights of the made from Welsh wool by a centenary programme, the event designer from Wales – the perfect was an opportunity to showcase excuse for the National Wool the fashion of Welsh textiles, from Museum to host its first ever style the swinging 60s to its recent show on 25 October 2007. revival on the British and international catwalks’ said The show was presented by Huw Ann Whittall, Museum Manager. Rees, a well-known name in Welsh fashion, who has styled world- ‘Although new Welsh talent was famous celebrities including Shirley also showcased, the focus was Bassey, and Dr Harri’s range, created from Katherine Jenkins. The highlight of flannel made at Cambrian Mills, the show was a set of outfits where the National Wool Museum designed in the 1960s and 1970s. is located today. Thanks to Dr Harri The outfits were designed by Dr and her kind contribution, the Sheila Harri, using wool that came clothes have come home to the originally from Cambrian Mills – Museum, and will now be part of now the home of the National Wool Wales’s national collections.’ Museum. The show also told the story of how today’s Wales was shaped by the thriving woollen industry of the twentieth century. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 13 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

A slate belt ties museums together Our twin town – in the USA

On 19 May 2007 the National Slate Music played a large part in the Museum celebrated its twinning twinning celebrations. Visitors with the Slate Valley Museum in were entertained by popular Granville, New York State. The Welsh-American band Cajuns twinning scheme celebrates the Denbo, and the choir Côr Cyntaf lasting historical and cultural i’r Felin sang the popular Welsh ties between the communities song Moliannwn. The song was of north Wales and those of the written by Benjamin Thomas, who slate region in the USA – known was born in Bethesda in Gwynedd as the slate belt. but spent much of his life in North Pawlet in New York State. ‘We commemorated the cultural and industrial links between Mary Lou Willits, Executive Director the two sites, and how the slate of the Slate Valley Museum in industry has created unique Granville, said: ‘The connection communities in both of our between the two slate regions societies’ said Dr Dafydd Roberts, stretches back 500 million years, the National Slate Museum’s to when both regions were part Keeper. ‘Over a century ago, when of the same land mass, and money was tight in the quarrying culminates with the immigration areas of north Wales, many families of thousands of Welsh quarrymen moved to the United States to look to work in the quarries of the for a better life. We tell some of the Slate Valley of New York State’. stories we’ve collected from local people over the past two years about their relatives in America – some of who are still in touch with each other today.’ Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 14 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

‘Origins’ Using our past to find out about today

In the run-up to our centenary The so-called Red Lady of Paviland In order to give contemporary year the archaeology displays at is on loan from University views of these ancient objects and National Museum Cardiff were Museum of Natural History, in landscapes, art and music are used. spectacularly redesigned. The new Wales’s first exhibition of these In particular, the artist Mary Lloyd exhibition, Origins: in search of internationally significant remains. Jones worked with schoolchildren early Wales, explores the The skeleton – actually a male – and produced a spectacular new relationship between past lives and was excavated in 1823 by Professor painting especially for the the present. People have lived in William Buckland, who glossed exhibition. She says: ‘preparing Wales for over 230,000 years – how over the evidence for its extreme work to be included in Origins different were their lives from ours? age and argued it represented an released a high level of creative ‘excise man’, and later a female energy which continues … the New research meant we could Roman camp follower. It has now enthusiastic response from staff revisit old stories, and explore new been radiocarbon dated to around and public gives me confidence and more personal interpretations 29,000 years ago. and optimism to build on this of the collections. Origins features experience’. many famous and iconic objects. Treasures include that masterpiece of Celtic blacksmithing, the Capel Garmon Iron Age firedog, as well as recent discoveries such as an exquisite early Roman bronze cup with a silver-spotted leopard handle from . The 230,000- year-old teeth from Pontnewydd Cave are also featured.

(Right) Mary Lloyd Jones’s Triptych. © the artist

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Bringing a medieval building alive St Teilo’s Church at St Fagans

In 1998 St Fagans began the First Minister Rhodri Morgan has The opening of the Church was challenging work of moving, particularly personal memories accompanied by a booklet, which rebuilding and refurbishing a stone- of the Church: ‘My great-great covers the history of the building built medieval church – one of the grandparents were one of the very from its original location to the first projects of its kind in Europe. last couples to get married there. details of its meticulous re-erection Nearly ten years later, on a misty Following my great-great- at the Museum. The book has over Sunday in October 2007, St Teilo’s grandmother’s death in childbirth, 40 beautiful illustrations and costs Church was officially opened at my great-great grandfather just £3.99, from the shop at St St Fagans by the Archbishop of remarried in the new Pontarddulais Fagans or through your local Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. church, in what was the first bookshop. marriage in that church. St Teilo’s Church, which was fondly We are grateful to everyone who donated known as ‘the old church on the ‘I have watched the incredible skills towards the cost of the work on the marsh’, had served Llandeilo of the restoration team … This is Church, including in particular our Patrons. Tal-y-bont in west Wales for some a stunning addition to the treasure If you would like to find out about 800 years and became a local trove of Welsh history contained becoming a Patron please contact Sian Russ, Development Officer, on (029) 2057 landmark. However, the building in St Fagans.’ 3182 or [email protected]. ceased functioning as the parish church in 1852 when a new church The process of re-erecting this – also named St Teilo’s – was built building has been an attraction in in nearby Pontarddulais. The old itself – visitors have witnessed, first church was used for burials and hand, the traditional techniques occasional services, but even these used by the Museum’s specialist finished in 1973, and it began to fall craftsmen. By using and into disrepair. Attempts to restore demonstrating these high-quality the building were hampered by craft skills, the Museum is handing subsidence, flooding and its on St Fagans as a centre for the remote location, before it was preservation of these skills to offered to the Museum. future generations.

The Church was moved stone by ‘Everyone should see this building. stone to St Fagans. All surviving The colours are brilliant, the original materials have been used, reproduction … exact in its and any missing items were scholarship, and the impact replicated by experts. Masons, is dazzling.’ carpenters and painters have re- (Simon Jenkins, Guardian.co.uk) built and decorated the Church as it would probably have looked in the 1520s. This was a complicated decision, but it was inspired by the discovery of a set of extremely rare wall paintings dating from this period, which were found while dismantling the building.

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In chains Wales and the slave trade at the National Waterfront Museum

If you thought the people of Wales who owned The people of Wales have also been had nothing to do with the slave plantations bought, sold and at the forefront of the fight against trade – you would be wrong! kept slaves and also made large slavery – lobbying governments, profits from slavery. Many Welsh helping escaped slaves and Wales has been involved with industries – iron, copper and campaigning for human rights. slavery for at least 2,500 years, woollen cloth – also owed their Today, that fight continues, as from before the arrival of the prosperity to connections with the illegal slavery still exists in the Romans, through the horrors slave trade. During the second half form of human trafficking. of the transatlantic trade – and of the eighteenth century, Wales even today. controlled half of the world’s Head of the Waterfront Museum, copper and by 1800 Swansea was Steph Mastoris, said: ‘It’s obvious Last year marked the 200th producing 90 per cent of British that in a maritime nation like Wales anniversary of the British copper. Much of this was used to many Welsh people were involved Parliamentary abolition of the slave fuel the slave trade. Factory workers in transatlantic slavery. However, trade – a major milestone in the made bar iron and copper trinkets Wales’s strong culture of religious fight against slavery. To mark this, that were used to buy African non-conformity also resulted in the National Waterfront Museum slaves. The Penrhyn slate quarry people fighting actively against hosted the exhibition Everywhere and estate in north Wales was the trade and promoting the in chains, which examined the role funded by profits from the Pennant emancipation of slaves.’ played by Wales and its people in family’s Jamaican slave plantations. slavery and the continuing fight The Cyfarthfa iron works were also against it. built on the profits of slave estates. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 19 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

The Romans are coming A military spectacular at the National Roman Legion Museum

July at the National Roman Legion One of the most popular features Museum saw the return of the was the ‘fussy eaters’ challenge. Romans. The Museum’s mighty The Museum had invited people Military Spectacular rolled into to nominate anyone they thought town, and the famous Ermine deserved the title ‘fussiest eater’. Street Guard brought Caerleon’s Chef and food historian Sally amphitheatre to life. Granger then showed how Roman ingredients like honey, fish sauce, Visitors were treated to a fantastic lentils and different herbs can weekend of Roman re-enactment, transform very basic dishes into with live displays of marching, appetising meals. cavalry and artillery. The Romans had a reputation for Our younger Roman recruits were serving very strange food, such as signed up for the Junior Legion, ‘rotton fish sauce’, and flavouring and rewarded with certificates it with too many spices. But Sally before marching proudly around showed that this reputation isn’t the amphitheatre. They also met a fair, and that Roman food is Roman doctor, to learn about some particularly good – in fact Sally surprising, and sometimes scary, prides herself on being able to cures – if they were brave enough! convert the most ‘picky’ of eaters. While many people were willing to rise to the challenge, we’ll never know if Sally’s Roman recipies have managed to convert them for good! Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 20 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

A very different museum visit The hidden collections go online

Rhagor is the Welsh word for ‘more’. It’s also an exciting new project – a new website developed especially to give more access to the Museum’s 4.5 million objects, most of which have to be stored out of sight, either because they are used for research or because they are just too fragile to be displayed. Launched in September 2007, Rhagor includes a wealth of articles, images, quizzes and maps – all designed to reveal these hidden treasures. Help us to create a photographic Send us a digital image of you or record of Wales at work a member of your family at work – Material from Rhagor doesn’t only Rhagor’s ‘Your History’ section has whether from the past or today. appear on our own website; we’re been set up to include images and Any type of job can be shown, in using other websites to share recollections from all around Wales, a factory, a shop, a mine, an office information about Wales’s national submitted by the people of Wales. or on a boat – wherever in Wales collections by putting images and We are initially focusing on ‘Wales people work or have worked. stories on the hugely popular at Work’ – presenting a selection photo-sharing site Flickr and the of images and recollections relating Don’t forget to tell us as much as interactive site Google Earth. This to industrial work in and around you can about the picture – the helps us raise the profile of the Swansea. Images include a wide names of the people photographed, collections with a huge range range of people at work, including if you know them, and what they of new audiences – globally. mining, steelworkers, factory did or do for a living. We would workers, dockers and cottage also like to know where and when industry workers. We want to build the image was taken, if possible. on this by inviting you to submit Send your images to: images of industries from the rest [email protected]. of Wales, along with names, We look forward to hearing memories and recollections. In this from you! way, ‘Your History’ will expand to include a wide range of memories www.museumwales.ac.uk/Rhagor and experiences.

(Right) Tulipa Lutia Lituris by Basilus Besler (1561-1629). One of the many previously ‘hidden’ treasures you can now see on Rhagor.

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National Treasures Seven museums, sixteen icons, one winner

In the summer of 2007 celebrities from last few weeks of his life he all corners of Wales came together to painted thirteen large pictures campaign for their favourite icons from of the fields around Auvers. Welsh history to become the definitive Perhaps the most striking ‘national treasure’. feature of this picture is the driving rain, which Van Gogh showed as slashes across the The BBC TV series National Treasures canvas. The painting was showed sixteen of the most iconic bought by treasures from the Museum’s in Paris in 1920. It later became collections. The treasures were part of her magnificent bequest championed by top personalities to the Museum which, along from the worlds of sport, TV, music, Tanni Grey-Thompson with her sister’s, transformed aristocracy and even the army. Over Paralympic gold medallist the Welsh national art the course of the series, with the help and former Welsh Woman collections. of museum staff and historians like of the Year Dr John Davies, the celebrities learnt Gold Josie D’Arby more about their favourite object as Gold was mined in Wales at TV presenter and actress they explored its history. This was their Gwynfynydd and Dolaucothi, The Capel Garmon firedog opportunity to discuss why their chosen and wedding rings for the royal This Iron Age masterpiece of family have traditionally been object was important to them, and to Celtic blacksmithing would have made from Welsh gold. It’s stood next to the hearth at the persuade viewers why it should be a thought gold was one of the ‘national treasure’. centre of a round house. It was reasons the Romans came to made by a highly skilled master Wales. craftsman, and its owner was Throughout the series, viewers voted probably wealthy and influential. online, and in the final show in Tanni looked at various gold September the votes of the live objects in the Museum’s Like so many of our national audience were added. And the winner? collections. The treasures, it was found by The people of Wales chose the pithead bracelets pictured above were accident. It was uncovered in baths, at Big Pit, as Wales’s favourite discovered in Carmarthenshire. 1852 on a farm in Capel ‘national treasure’. Jewellery from this period was Garmon near Llanrwst. Experts worn by people of wealth and believe that it was placed in the influence, who enjoyed the bog deliberately as an offering latest fashions and to a god of the pagan Celtic craftsmanship. Some of the world. pieces are extremely delicate with intricate designs.

Derek Brockway TV weather presenter Van Gogh’s painting Rain, Auvers Van Gogh painted it in 1890, just weeks before he shot himself. He had moved to Provence, hoping it would help with his depression. During the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 23 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

the stove. The tea-urn, or ffowntan, was at a constant simmer – it was a cardinal sin to let it boil dry! Each caban had a llywydd (president), which was a prestigious position. He ensured that the rules were adhered to, read aloud from the newspaper and announced local events such as concerts and special chapel services. Iolo Williams with calico or canvas Cerys Mathews Natural history TV impregnated with pitch and tar. Musician The caban was at the heart presenter The exact designs vary from The Welsh shawl of the workers’ cultural and one area to another. They’re The leatherback turtle The Welsh Nursing Shawl or social life during their long light – up to 40lbs – and a Siol Fagu was 6ft square and working days. The turtle was found on fishermen can carry one on worn wrapped around both Harlech beach in 1988, it his back, using a strap attached mother and child, leaving the Lembit Opik MP had drowned after getting to the coracle. entangled in a fishing rope. mother’s hands free to carry on Meteorites with her work. Made of pure It’s the largest leatherback Once at the heart of the rural Meteorites, housed at National wool flannel, it was a staple ever recorded. fishing industries, today only Museum Cardiff, are the oldest product of the Welsh woollen a few licences for its use are objects in the Museum’s mills. The wool for shawls was Sea turtles have been issued each year on rivers such collections. They're thought processed in a special way in swimming in our oceans as the Tywi and the Teifi. to be around four billion years since before the age of the order to ensure it was soft old – older than Earth itself. dinosaurs. But there are enough. serious fears about their The biggest is part of a future. They are threatened The shawl is both practical and meteorite found in Namibia in by pollution, fishing and keeps the baby close to the 1938. Made of iron, the whole exploitation – this is a species mother’s body. Cerys used meteorite is thought to have that needs protection. this technique with her own weighed about 20,000 kilos. children. The piece on display in Cardiff Estimated to be 100 years old weighs around 260 kilos. when it died, the Museum’s Glyn Wise turtle is precious evidence of Ex-Big Brother contestant Another meteorite fell through our natural world and how The Caban the roof of a hotel in our environment is changing. This is where slate Beddgelert, Snowdonia in quarryworkers gathered to 1949, where it was found in Gareth Edwards eat their lunch, drink tea and an upstairs lounge. Former international debate union matters, the rugby player minister’s sermon, sport or Meteorites hold a great The coracle local gossip. fascination for astronomers and geologists alike. Without This unique vessel has been meteorites, they say, there used for around 11,000 years, There were stringent rules. would be no other national both for fishing and transport. Younger workers sat at the treasures! In Wales, they tend to be made outskirts of the room, and the of willow or ash, and covered older quarrymen sat closest to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 24 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

National Treasures Seven museums, sixteen icons, one winner

Abercynon – but not without problems. The engine’s chimney hit a low bridge, and the tram rails broke at intervals due to the heavy load. But Trevithick had proved that a steam engine could run on rails. This replica of the engine is now at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

Robert Croft International player Mike Peters The Shanghai Ruth Madoc Musician Chair Actress The triple harp St Teilo’s Church This stunning chair is from the The triple harp appears to have 1933 National Eisteddfod in Amgueddfa Cymru began originated in Italy around 1600. Wrexham. It was donated to moving this church from west However, it was immensely the Eisteddfod by J. R. Jones Wales, stone by stone, over popular in Wales, possibly of Shanghai, who originally came ten years ago. because it doesn’t have the from Llanuwchlyn. heavy metal parts of the The church dates back to traditional harp, and so was J. R. Jones spent much of his the 13th century, but was easier to transport over Wales’s life in Hong Kong and Shanghai, reconstructed to look as it would terrain. Due to its popularity, it but maintained strong links with have done in 1520, before the became known as ‘The Welsh Wales and the Eisteddfod. reformation. Plenty of research Harp’. By the nineteenth century, was done to ensure that the it had become the national The chair was won by Edgar Church looks as it would have instrument of Wales. Phillips from . done in the Middle Ages. He won many Eisteddfod chairs, Owen Money but said that this was his The Church’s re-erection has TV and radio presenter favourite. been witnessed and enjoyed The Trevithick replica over the years by thousands of visitors. Opened in autumn 2007, Richard Trevithick's famous It was given to the Museum as an example of both medieval was the first by his family, and is a main and contemporary craftsmanship in the world ever to run on rails, attraction in the new gallery it’s rapidly becoming one of St and helped Oriel 1 at St Fagans. Fagans’ most popular attractions. develop into an industrial powerhouse.

Samuel Homfray of the ironworks engaged Trevithick to build a locomotive to carry iron along a newly opened tramway.

On 21 February 1804 Trevithick’s engine hauled 10 tons of iron and 70 men from Penydarren to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 25 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Tom Shanklin International rugby player Lovespoons The lovespoon has been a token of love in Wales for centuries.

Different symbols all have very specific meanings: a key is thought to mean security, the dragon is a symbol of protection, diamonds are for luck, and a Rt Hon. Shan Simon Weston OBE cross carved into a spoon is a Legge-Bourke Former Welsh Guardsman, sign of the carver's faith. Lady in Waiting to injured in the Falklands Princess Anne War, now author and Carvers need to be very skilful to produce such works of art, Abernodwydd Farmhouse charity worker especially as they’re traditionally This farmhouse was built in 1678 Roman gravestones produced from a single piece of for farmer Rhys Evan. The panels These gravestones help us build wood. The spoons are therefore between the wall timbers are filled up a picture of people’s lives in carved with great care, before with traditional wattle and daub Roman Wales. People like Julius being given as a token of the (woven hazel rods daubed with Valens, a veteran of the second carver’s love. clay) and the black and white Augustan legion who lived to be timber construction is highly 100 years old. The inscription on typical of the area. his gravestone says that it was erected by his wife, Julia The furniture includes a cwpwrdd Secundina, and their son, deuddarn, a long table with Julius Martinus. benches and two four-poster beds. If the beds seem short, Another, found a kilometre west that’s because at that time, it was of the fortress, is a family thought that lying down to sleep gravestone. It records the death was bad luck, so people sat up of Tadia Vallaunius aged 65, and when they slept! This building is her son Tadius Exuperatus, who such an iconic part of St Fagans, died aged 37 on the German for many years it was used as the expedition. The inscription says Museum’s logo. that the gravestone was put up by Tadia’s daughter Tadia Exuperata, beside her father's tomb.

The two stones are now reunited at the National Roman Legion Museum, where they are a poignant illustration of how the Romans lived – and died – in Wales. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 26 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Wales’s favourite national treasure Bonnie Tyler, singer, champions Big Pit’s pithead baths

They weren’t actually baths, but Baths were gradually introduced row upon row of showers. It’s during the first half of the twentieth difficult for us today to imagine the century, during the same period huge impact their introduction had that old age pensions, the NHS on the lives of miners – and and votes for women were being perhaps more so on their families. introduced. Big Pit’s baths were Until then, miners had to travel opened in 1939. However, not all home in their work clothes and the miners were keen to begin with. wash in a tin bath that had to They weren’t used to stripping off be hand-filled with gallons of in public, and thought they might hot water by their wives. suffer health problems if they washed before travelling home. Undoubtedly, the whole concept of showers was foreign – the miners had to be given leaflets explaining how to use them! However, the women must surely have welcomed the introduction of the pithead baths. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking back… 27 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

National museums in small nations The centenary programme ends with inspiration for the future

Many of the plans for our future The delegates attended lively developments were further presentations and debates, all inspired by the centenary relevant to small and bilingual programme’s closing event. nations, all over the world. The In December we held a special conference gave us many new conference, entitled National and exciting contacts with our Museums and Small Nations, colleagues internationally, and at National Museum Cardiff. sparked fresh new ideas for our own plans here in Wales. The discussions covered a range of minorities – ethnic, linguistic The second day of the conference and religious – in nations of all culminated in a grand dinner for sizes. Prestigious speakers came the delegates and other invited from Europe, the USA, Canada guests including donors, supporters and as far afield as New Zealand. and stakeholders, hosted by Loyd They included W. Richard West Jr., Grossman, who is chair of the right, who was the founding Campaign for Museums and who director of the National Museum gave a memorable talk about the of the American Indian, part of the role of national museums. world-famous Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, in his last public engagement before retiring. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Introduction 2800 100+ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcelebrating the centenary: planning for the future The y pictur Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Introduction 00 100+ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ear in es 1. 4. In January, Lord and Lady Davies In April, an exhibition of the 12 joined many guests for the work of the famous Welsh-born opening of the prestigious photographer Angus McBean exhibition Treasures from Wales opened at National Museum 3 4 5 at Christie’s in . The event Cardiff. The exhibition included attracted valuable and ongoing many of McBean’s iconic images, support for the plans to develop from his early, surreal pictures to the art galleries at National later celebrity portraits. Museum Cardiff. 5. 2. May saw the publication of a very Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas (right), special book to mark Amgueddfa Presiding Officer of the National Cymru’s centenary. The book Assembly for Wales, attended uses historic archive photographs the launch of the centenary and stunning, fresh new images programme at Cardiff’s Hilton to explore the highlights of the Hotel in February. national collections. It also introduces us to some of the 3. fascinating people who helped The popular Welsh poet Gwyn build the collections, and the Thomas (centre), Wales’s National museums, over a century. Poet for 2007, attended the launch Available from the Museum shop of Oriel 1 in March. The poems he or your local bookshop, just wrote especially for Oriel 1 are £14.99. Available in Welsh, now displayed at the gallery’s Dathlu’r ganrif gyntaf. entrance. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales The year in pictures… 31 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

On a scorching Tuesday in June, In a celebratory event in October, National Museum Cardiff hosted the Archbishop of Canterbury, a visit by the Queen, Prince Rowan Williams, officially opened Philip, Prince Charles and the St Teilo’s Church at St Fagans. Duchess of Cornwall. In Cardiff The First Minister Rhodri Morgan, to open the Welsh Assembly Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas and Government session, the royal representatives from different visit coincided with the exhibition religions from all over Wales also at the Museum of ten Leonardo attended the event, which da Vinci drawings from Her marked the culmination of some Majesty’s own collection. 10 years’ hard work. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales The year in pictures… 32 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

These stunning portraits of the First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan AM, TV presenter Sian Lloyd and soccer legend Ryan Giggs went on display at National Museum Cardiff in November. The three photographers, Huw Davies, Anastasia Taylor-Lind and Amelia Kilvington, were winners of the 2007 National Photographic Portrait Commission. The annual commission is organized by Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Portrait Gallery. 1/2. 6. Later in November to cap a Michael Heseltine spent time at 1 2 week’s hard preparation for the the National Waterfront Museum game against world champions as part of the BBC Wales TV South Africa, the Welsh rugby series Coming Home. 3456 team visited Big Pit, for a history lesson and some team-building – the old-fashioned way!

3/4/5. These unique ceramics by Picasso and the painting Acid green crescent by Wassily Kandinsky were purchased as special centenary acquisitions. Support from the Derek Williams Trust helped us to add these works, by some of the 20th century’s most important artists, to the national collections. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 34 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future Looki forwa ng ard… Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking forward… 36 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Creating a national history museum for Wales

St Fagans was opened in 1948 as St Fagans already attracts 600,000 a cutting-edge open-air museum, visits a year from loyal fans and portraying how the people of Wales tourists who love its remarkable lived, worked and spent their leisure collection of historic buildings. time over the last 500 years. Today, The development will improve the Museum has over 40 original what we offer visitors, putting buildings, moved from various the buildings and collections into parts of Wales and re-erected to the wider context of the national show different periods in history. history of Wales.

During 2007, we started work on To do this, much of the archaeology a ten-year strategy to redevelop collections will be moved from the country’s most popular visitor National Museum Cardiff and attraction as a National History re-displayed at St Fagans to Museum for Wales. create a comprehensive timeline of history. Visitors will be able to When we started to put together explore the development of Wales, the concept of a ‘world-class the country and its diverse people, museum of learning’ in 2005, from the earliest times. we consulted with around 5,000 organizations and individuals in The timing of this major project Wales and beyond. The results of will depend on the availability of the consultation confirmed what funding, although we hope to many visitors from home and begin work in 2011/12. The cost abroad have been telling us over is expected to be in the region the years – that St Fagans is where of £12m-£15m. We are hoping to they expect to experience the story attract government, commercial, of the development of a nation. grant and individual support. If you’re interested in helping, or So, during the next decade, simply finding out more about St Fagans will be developed to this exciting project, please contact become just such a place, telling Jo Morris, Head of Development, the story of the peoples and nation on (029) 2057 3183 or of Wales, from earliest times to the [email protected]. present day.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking forward… 38 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

A view of the future Refreshing the national art collections

National Museum Cardiff is well- In the new galleries, we will And further into the future… known for its extraordinarily rich highlight the production of art These developments are the first collection of beautiful art objects. in Wales and, for the first time, step in a much longer journey However, the grand, spacious explore its relationship to the wider towards eventually establishing galleries needed some history of European art. It will also a dedicated of art refurbishment to recapture their trace the impact of the Welsh for Wales. original visual drama. Also, we landscape on artists. Other galleries need to show a greater range of will highlight the famous French Amgueddfa Cymru has been part objects, present well-known art in paintings and sculpture in the of a long-term study into the fresh ways as well as exploring new Davies collection, and present creation of a national gallery for themes and ideas. We also want to British and European modern art. Wales. In conjunction with the Arts create spaces for education and Changing displays will explore Council for Wales, a report was contemporary art practice. the work of artists from Wales, commissioned to review the issues especially , Augustus involved. The report was So, in May 2006 some of the art John, and Ceri considered by the Welsh Assembly galleries were closed and we Richards. We will also be able to Government, who have established started packing away the paintings. show exhibitions of major modern a steering group to help prepare We started work on a major project and contemporary art, raising the proposals for the creation of a that included repairing the roof and profile of the Museum national centre for contemporary improving the environmental and internationally. art and a national gallery. security systems. This work would not be possible In 2007 we started to completely without the generosity of many redisplay the celebrated art supporters. If you would like to collections. Some galleries help, please contact the have already re-opened, and Development Department on by November 2009 the full range (029) 2057 3184. of the art collections will be shown as a brand new display in one continuous series of galleries. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking forward… 39 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Using our natural science collections in new ways

Just as the Welsh Assembly We believe that natural science Government has enshrined museums can, and should, be sustainable development as one major players in helping people of its underlying principles, we understand today’s environmental intend to create a natural science crisis. We can also make huge museum for Wales, to promote contributions to the research science in Wales and Welsh science needed to monitor the changes to the world. to our natural world.

The world today faces enormous One of the ideas for the new problems related to climate change, museum will transform access to sustainability and biodiversity loss. the objects used for research, and We believe that we have an usually kept out of sight. Modern, important contribution to make to new display spaces would mean these contemporary debates – more that we could make these parts of and more, natural science museums the collections, and the research are recognizing the role of their work our curators do, visible to collections in current issues. After visitors. By changing the traditional all, natural science collections are at barriers between the laboratories, the heart of our understanding of storerooms and galleries we can the variety of life on earth. combine our displays with the ‘behind the scenes’ work that drives them. This is just one of the ways in which we aim to excite and inform new, as well as existing, audiences. By doing so, we hope to help make Wales one of the world’s first truly sustainable nations. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Looking forward… 40 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Learning through sharing – and sharing our learning

You might not know it, but We also collaborate on learning Amgueddfa Cymru is the most projects all over Wales. Using active lender of objects from its imaginative approaches, we take collections in the UK. At any one part in activities at all sorts of time, around 3,000 items are on venues, as well as web-based loan at over 130 venues. We were projects or sessions in schools one of the first museums to develop and colleges. a collection for distribution to schools – the Schools Service – Recent projects include the free, set up in 1948 and now evolved web-based tutors’ pack Camau into today’s Outreach Collection. Cymraeg. This is a resource that Welsh-language tutors can use with Since 2002, this sharing principle their learners at the National Slate has been boosted by two schemes – Museum. It was preceded by Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan-Sharing Llwybrau Llafar at St Fagans, and Treasures and Celf Cymru Gyfan- will soon be followed by Gwau Artshare Wales. These schemes Geiriau at the National Wool enable museums and galleries Museum. All these packs provide around Wales to share the national novel ways for Welsh learners to collections with local audiences. experience different aspects of Partner venues have included Oriel Welsh culture at the same time as Ynys Môn, & developing their language skills. Art Gallery, Wrexham County Borough Museum, Pontypool Often, our projects Museum, Carmarthenshire County explore cultural relationships, like Museum, Museum, the Eid Muslim festival celebrations , Llandudno at St Fagans in October 2007, and Museum, Oriel , the events at National Museum Bodelwyddan Castle, Ruthin Craft Cardiff for the Somali community. Centre, and Oriel Davies in Newtown. For the Festival of Muslim Cultures in 2006-07, we worked with leading We’re also working with figures from UK-wide Muslim Pembrokeshire Coast National Park organizations, and similar on the new Oriel y Parc gallery. discussions with key Hindu Opening later this year in St Davids, organizations have led to more it will feature exhibitions that projects at St Fagans. explore the landscape of Wales in a unique setting.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 42 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Thank you

We would like to extend our Corporate sponsors European Social Fund appreciation and thanks to all those Anonymous donors Friends of Amgueddfa Cymru – who have supported us. If you Christopher Wood Limited National Museum Wales would like to offer your support, Community Union G C Gibson Charitable Settlement please contact the Development Corus Gruntdvig Department at Amgueddfa Cymru – Legal & General Heritage Lottery Fund National Museum Wales, Cathays Principality Building Society IGCP Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP. Welsh Slate INTERREG IIIB Programme for Western Cork Limited North West Europe Marine Western Power Distribution Biological Association Laspen Trust Trusts, foundations and other MEPF – ALSF major supporters Natural England Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund New Art Centre BERR Newport Borough Council British Institute of Geological Pitt-Rivers Charitable Trust Conservation P&O Makower Trust Cardiff City Council SR & PH Southall Trust Cardiff Harbour Authority The Art Fund Department of The Crown Estate History and Archaeology The Geological Society Colwinston Charitable Trust The Leverhulme Trust Countryside Council for Wales The Royal Society Derek Williams Trust The Art Fund Esmee Fairbairn Welsh Assembly Government European Regional Development Wolfson Foundation Fund INTERREG IIIA IRELAND/WALES Community Initiative Programme Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 43 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Lead Patron Walter and Shael Dickie Mathew Prichard The Rt Hon. the Earl of Plymouth Eleri Ebenezer Anthony and Mary Pugh Robert Edward The Rt Hon. the Lord Raglan Life Patrons Gerard and Elisabeth Elias The Rt Hon. the Lord Rees QC One anonymous Life Patron Mrs Wynne Evans Dr Colin J. Richards and Enid Child Mrs Christine Eynon Mrs Ann Richards Sir Norman Lloyd Edwards Roger and Kathy Farrance John Roberts KCVO Pearl E. Gayther Mike and Mary Salter Dr Margaret Elmes Jonathan Gray Richard and Gaynor Smart Marion Evans Michael Griffith Dr P. M. Smith Sigi and Wynford Evans Loyd Grossman OBE Jaci Stephen Mr and Mrs R. A. Forster Sir Richard Hanbury-Tenison KCVO John and Genevieve Foster Thomas Nigel and Jane Gibbs Alan and Judith Hart Bev Thomas MBE Christopher Gridley Mr and Mrs Ben Herbert Sir John and Lady Thomas Jo Hirst Mr and Mrs Robin Herbert Roger G. Thomas Anita Johansson G. Wyn Howells MBE Ken and Fran Truman Dr Margaret Berwyn Jones Afanwen James David Vaughan CBE QC Malcolm and Monica Porter David Fraser Jenkins David and Christine Vokes R. Paul Russell Jane Jenkins Haydn and Dorothy Walters Anna Southall Mrs D. H. R. Jenkins Dr Peter Warren Anne and Hywel Jones Dr Jane Watkeys Patrons & Individual Donors Terry Jones Mrs Meriel Watkins Four Anonymous Patrons Ian and Julia Kelsall John and Hilary Weber Anonymous Donors Miss Pat Kernick Richard Weston and Linda Prosper David H. Andrews Neil Kinnock Mr and Mrs I. T. Wigley Mrs E. M. Austin Prof. John Last Dr D. M. J. and Dr M. V. Williams Gordon Scott Bagnall Dafydd Bowen Lewis Ruth and Gareth Williams Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks Mr Gerry Long MBE and Dr W. B. Willott CB Leslie and Marian Beckett Mrs Pat Long Viscount Windsor Peter Bennett-Jones L. Hefin Looker Derek and Joan Woolley Abigail Brown Paul and Lynne Loveluck Dr Hilary Lloyd Yewlett David and Carole Burnett Julian Mitchell Dan Clayton-Jones Esq. John and Doreen Morgan In memory of Patrons who sadly Dr Sarah Cockbill Peter Morgan passed away during the year Mrs Valerie Courage Richard and Rose Morgan Marian Beckett Robert and Rhian Croydon Guy Morrison Margaret Davies Peter and Maria Neumark All those who endowed seats in the Geraint Talfan Davies Mr John Phillips Oakdale Institute Banba Dawson Michael and Sian Phipps Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales 44 100+ celebrating the centenary: planning for the future

Your museum, your say

Do you think you’d like to help us If you’re interested in working with with our plans for the future? Last us in this way or if you simply want year your views helped shape a to know more about our wide range of activities including consultation plans, please contact the development of Oriel 1, Elaine Cabuts, Public Consultation St Teilo’s Church, Rhagor, the art Co-ordinator, at Amgueddfa Cymru and natural science displays at – National Museum Wales, Cathays National Museum Cardiff, the Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP, on Festival of Muslim Cultures and (029) 2057 3204 or much more besides. [email protected].

We’re working hard to make sure We look forward to hearing from that people from all over Wales can you – thank you. get involved and help shape the future of the national museums. As we move forward with the major plans we have described here, look out for public meetings, surveys and questionnaires – there will be various ways we’ll be hoping to hear from you.