Collection: Mull Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The collection started in the early 1970’s with a few interested people on Mull, mainly in Tobermory, putting together a temporary summer exhibition describing the history of Mull and its people. There were mainly photographs and a few artefacts.

  In 1986 the Museum was given part of a three-storey terraced building. Originally built in 1843 as the Free Church, it later became a baker’s shop and the original oven survives. Immediately prior to the Museum moving in, it had been the store for the next door drapery and gift shop. Now with safe and secure premises, the Museum was able to develop the collection and assure donors that items would be cared for properly. Much renovation and work was needed to bring the building up to standard, and we were fortunate that our first Curator, Alastair Garvie, had the knowledge and vision to take the project forward, designing and building displays and storage arrangements, while his wife Hilary laid out the artefacts in meaningful displays. Alastair’s hand written captions still survive in some displays and are much admired.

  From then on other volunteers joined the team, giving of their particular skills and talents, and often reflecting their special interests in their choice of objects or displays, such as the next Curator, Dr Bill Clegg, who was interested in archaeology. The library and archive collection were initiated by Bruce Whittaker, followed by his daughter Jean. Not every local museum has as many books, papers and photographs.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Mull Museum has 2000 objects, 2500 books and 15,500 archive items including 6000 photographs.

  The collection consists of artefacts, documents and images pertaining to the Isle of Mull, adjacent small islands, and parts of the nearby mainland including Ardnamurchan and Morvern. The collection relates to the people and their activities, trades, professions and institutions, together with objects which relate to specific local historical interests such as wartime activities in Mull. The collection also includes a wide range of general bygones intended, in the early days of the museum, to supplement specifically local material. The Isle of Mull Museum Trust accepts the general principle that it is their responsibility to ensure to the best of their ability that all of the collections in their care are adequately housed, conserved and documented.

  Geology: examples of rocks and fossils from throughout Mull and Iona.

  Archaeology: items of all periods from the relevant area.

  Social Domestic History: Objects related to trades, professions and retailing; social, domestic and religious life, local personalities; occupational tools and equipment; toys and other recreational material, mainly with local associations.

  Industrial: Material relating to industrial processing, including quarrying and distilling.

  Militaria: uniforms, medals and weapons with close local associations, including special displays highlighting the Second World War naval base, and items connected with the Spanish Armada vessel sunk in Tobermory Bay in 1588.

  Costume: occupational and ceremonial costume; uniforms; domestic apparel; mainly with close local associations.

  Decorative Art: Ceramics, glass, silver, woodwork, textiles etc. with local connections.

  Images: photo-library of 6000 items (negatives, prints, slides and digital images) with direct local association. Images by local artists in various media.

  Fine Art: Topographical pictures relating to collecting area, portraits of local personalities of more than family interest, and works by artists working in the collecting area.

  Archives: archive of over 15,000 items together with a small library and archive belonging to the Clan MacLean Heritage Trust. The budget for this relies upon donations and the sale of photographs and photocopies and a small annual cheque from the Clan MacLean. It is housed on the first floor of the Mull Museum. The success of the library and archive lies in the support it is able to give to the curatorial staff responsible for setting up the Museum exhibition and in encouraging visitors to explore exhibition themes in greater depth.

  Printed Books: library of 2500 books and pamphlets, relating to the collecting area and, on a limited basis, relating to the archaeology and local history of Scotland.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC