Doors Open To Bangor University Archives And Museum Collections

Bangor University’s collections will be open to the public as a part of the Open Doors events on Saturday 24 September. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Open Doors event gives the public the opportunity to have a look at some of Gwynedd and Conwy’s historical buildings, gardens and interesting and unusual locations all for free throughout September. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The University’s Archives Department will be providing visitors with a feast of manuscripts. There will be the opportunity to discuss the variety of archival collections that are held by the University before being guided to the Council Chamber Corridor to view the 2016 exhibition, “Visitors and travellers to North Wales”. Booking is essential due to limited spaces. The English session will be held between 10am and 11am whilst the Welsh session will be held between 11.30am and 12.30pm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This is an opportunity to visit the University’s Natural History Museum, Brambell Building, which is not usually accessible to the public to learn more about the animals and plants on display in addition to a chance to ask questions to the experts available. The Natural History Museum will be open to the public between 11am and 3pm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There will also be guided tours of the University’s Main Arts Building led by David Roberts, the former registrar of the University talking on ‘ “A Lasting Monument” : the design and history of the University’s Main Building’. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the background of establishing the building and to understand more about its architectural features. The guided tours will start from the foyer of the Main Arts Building at 11.00am-12.00pm (English) and 12:30pm-1:30pm (Welsh) and booking in advance is essential. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Professor Jerry Hunter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University stated: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s a pleasure to take part in Open Doors and give people the opportunity to see inside the Main Buildings and enjoy the wealth of our collections. The Open Doors events are brilliant opportunities that offer local residents and visitors a chance to enjoy and learn more about the vast variety of artefacts included in the collections from University experts.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of the joint project with Gwynedd Council “Engaging Collections: Widening Access to Gwynedd’s Heritage” that is partly funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, it is intended to improve access to Bangor University’s hidden museum collections. This will offer local residents and visitors a chance to enjoy and learn about the vast variety of specimens on display. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you are interested in attending the talks at the Archives or go on one of the guided tours, booking in advance is necessary. You can do this by telephoning 01248 383276 or email archives@bangor.au.uk for the Archives or by telephoning 01248 353368 or emailing storiel@gwynedd.llyw.cymru for the guided tours. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​