Swansea’s Royal Institution and Wales’s First Museum, livre ebook

The Royal Institution of South Wales is a very special organisation, one of the few such institutions to survive into the twenty-first century. Founded in 1835, it opened Wales’s first museum in 1841, running it until 1990, and it remains today a thriving centre of culture. RISW’s original lecture theatre, library and laboratory demonstrate its early involvement in scientific research and education. This substantial and richly illustrated book sets the story in context – in local, national and international terms – and presents RISW as a significant contributor to the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. The book covers the growth of RISW, the notable members it attracted, later challenges it faced and its survival into the world of today. The formation of the museum’s many varied collections is described by leading specialists, including the developing sciences – geology; natural history; botany; archaeology; Egyptology and photography; the decorative arts; historical records; coins; maps; and costume. Notes on Contributors AcknowledgementsPreface Lyndon Morris Introduction Jenny Sabine PART 1 Chapter 1 The Swansea Context Louise MiskellPART 2 Foundations and Early Period Chapter 2 Beginnings2.1 Origins and Ambitions Karmen Thomas 2.2 The BAAS meeting 1848 John Tucker2.3 The Role of Women in the RISW Jenny Sabine 2.4 The Lectures Programme Gerald Gabb and Helen Hallesy2.5 Education 1835-1939 Gerald GabbChapter 3 Swansea Museum3.1 Planning and funding the building Helen Hallesy3.2 Uses of building and extensions Gerald GabbPART 3 The Collections Chapter 4 SciencesIntroduction Iwan Morus 4.1 Geology Ronald Austin4.2 Botany Kevin Davies 4.3 Other Natural Sciences Emma Williams 4.4 Photography Katy Williams Chapter 5 Artefacts and Records 5.1 The Archives Andrew Dulley 5.2 The Library Gerald Gabb5.3 Maps and Charts Phil Treseder5.4 Local Historians Gerald Gabb 5.5 Art Helen Hallesy5.6 Ceramics Helen Hallesy5.7 Archaeology Gerald Gabb5.8 Egyptology Caroline Graves-Brown5.9 Numismatics Alan and Noel Cox5.10 Costume Deborah Griffiths 5.11 Miscellaneous Phil Treseder PART 4 Later developmentsChapter 6 Introduction Elizabeth Belcham6.1 The Museum during WW2 Helen Hallesy6.2 The transfer to Swansea University Syd Howells6.3 Swansea University to Swansea City Council Iwan Davies 6.4 Education post 1939 Gerald Gabb Chapter 7 Associated Societies Introduction Gerald Gabb and Helen Hallesy 7.1 Swansea Farmers Club Helen Hallesy7.2 Musical Groups Gerald Gabb7.3 Literary and Scientific Society Gerald Gabb7.4 Swansea Astronomical Society Helen Hallesy7.5 Swansea Geological Society Helen Hallesy7.6 Swansea Scientific Society Gerald Gabb7.7 Field Naturalists Society Gerald Gabb7.8 Swansea Photographic Association Helen Hallesy7.9 Welsh Society Gerald Gabb7.10 Philatelic Society Helen Hallesy7.11 Shiplovers’ Society Helen Hallesy7.12 Gower Society Ruth and Malcolm Ridge7.13 Swansea Little Theatre Eryl Jenkins and Dave Taylor7.14 Gower Ornithological Society Gerald Gabb List of RISW Presidents 1835-2022BibliographyList of Subscribers Index