Ulster Museum

Other names: Belfast Museum of Natural History (1831-1889), Belfast Free Public Library, Art Gallery and Museum (1890-1905), Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery (1905-1961) Ulster Museum (1962-present)
Foundation date: 1831

Function: Art gallery and museum

Policy: In souvenir of opening 1929 (p. 25);
'Belfast can be helped in its education and industrial life by an active teaching museum... intended for the general cultural instruction of an enquiring public.'

'The museum will be a storehouse for the safeguarding of objects for particular investigation, which will be readily available at all times, in the same manner as reference books in a library.'

'[The museum] will welcome the manufacturer, the designer, the artist, and the student, as well as the ethnologist, the archaeologist, the naturalist, and any other enquirer, whatever may be his aim.'

The museum will give '...frequent lectures and demonstrations to adults and school children... to promote interest in Culture and Art among all classes.'

History or description: The Belfast Natural History Society was established 5th June 1821 and opened Belfast's first museum, The Belfast Museum of Natural History, in 1831, located in College Square North. Museum opened to the public 1833.

Although the museum's own collections never extended to visual arts, its facilities for display were recognised by artistic circles in Belfast and requests for use of space for exhibitions began in 1835 (First request from artist Hugh Frazer for exhibition & series of lectures, further requests from Belfast Association of Artists)

The Belfast Free Public Library was established on Royal Avenue 13th Oct 1888, with 3 rooms on the top floor of the building opening as Belfast Free Public Library, Art Gallery and Museum 16th July 1890.

The Belfast Rambler's exhibition 1890 was the first connection between the municipal authorities & local voluntary agencies for the promotion of art in Belfast. In spite of limited space from 1890-1928 there were 88 exhibitions by local art societies.

In 1905 Arthur Deane FRSE MRIA was appointed curator of Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery - previously a sub dept of library, now a dept in its own right.

By 1909 clear current premises was inadequate, however WWI halted development on building of new museum in Stranmillis.

Foundations started 1923, exterior finished 1926, interior work was delayed by strikes during 1926. The museum eventually opened to the public officially 22nd October 1929. Art gallery occupied 2nd floor - 5 picture galleries & 2 sculpture 'halls' (one of which was a corridor).

On opening in 1929 number of 'Administrative & Technical' staff was 9, including; Curator (Deane);Assistant Curator (A. Sidney Stendall); 1st Grade Assistant (Samuel Freeland & Alfred H. George); 3rd Grade Assistant (Harold Bryans); Label Writer (William Hill); Clerk (Dora I. Whisker); Hon. Librarian (William M. Crawford).

1930 John Hewitt appointed assistant in the Arts dept, later becomes Keeper of Art in 1950s.

First important loan exhibition featured Rodin works, lent by French Government, in 1933.

During war series of exhibitions on Allied countries e.g. 'Allied Artists', 'Czechoslovakia', 'Netherlands', 'Belgium & the Congo', 'Yugoslavia' from 1942-45.

Post-war arts council (CEMA) arranged exhibitions of Irish & British artists (e.g. Colin Middleton) and series of Ulster artists exhibitions - John Luke, F. W. Hull, Kathleen Bridle & Daniel O'Neill.

As a result of Museums act (N.I) Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery was renamed the Ulster Museum 1962 and recognised as National museum.

Publications: annual reports, exhibition catalogues, illustrated exhibition catalogues

Employees (sample figures)

Label Writer
Wages: £3 4s. 11d.
Notes: For last week in December 1933

Label Writer
Wages: £3 13s. 5d.
Notes: For last week in December 1938

Attendant
Wages: £2 7s. 3d.
Notes: For last week in December 1933

Hall Porter
Wages: £3 1s. 11d.
Notes: For last week in December 1938

Night Watchman
Wages: £2 18s. 6d.
Notes: For last week in December 1938

Cleaner
Wages: £1 13s. 5d.
Notes: For last week in December 1938

Citing this record

'Ulster Museum', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib3_1257759728, accessed 25 Mar 2023]