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Newry Museum has unveiled a new “object of the month” display case on its second floor. The case will give the public a chance to shape the stories being told at the museum with a changing selection of items including many usually held in storage. The first object on show is an oak alms box dating from around 1880 from the former Convent of Mercy in Newry.
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The box is divided into four compartments labelled “Subscriptions”, “Community”, “Sundries” and “Poor”. Though simple in appearance, it offers an insight into how charitable donations were collected, organised and distributed more than a century ago.
The display case was unveiled on 29 October by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, who thanked the Northern Ireland Museums Council for its support for the project through its Capital Grant Programme.
“The objects that go on display will help reveal the rich and varied history of the Newry, Mourne and Down area, from industry and agriculture to sport, faith, migration, community life and everyday experiences,” Cllr Hanna said.
The programme is intended to do more than look back, by asking what stories matter today. Every object has a story and sometimes those stories are hidden in plain sight. It could be an item linked to someone’s job, a sporting achievement, or simply something kept at home that captures an aspect of local life worth remembering.
Speaking at the launch, Newry and Mourne Museum Curator Shân McAnena said, “We hope the display case will become a space for discovery, conversation and community involvement. Most importantly, we hope it will encourage people to see local heritage not as something belonging only to the past, but as something that continues to be created and shared today. We want to hear which objects, themes and stories people across the district would like to see represented”.
Objects may come from the museum’s collections or be loaned by residents, families, businesses and community groups. Newry and Mourne Museum is inviting the public to suggest objects or lend personal items, family keepsakes and community artefacts for future monthly displays.
To submit an idea or offer an item for display, visit: www.visitmournegullionstrangford.com
