History of the Museums Association

The History of the Museums Association is the history of the UK based Museums Association (MA), which is the oldest museum association in the world.[1] The concept was first proposed by Elijah Howarth of the Weston Park Museum, Sheffield in 1877.

The Objects

The objects of the MA were stated as follows:[2]:88

  • The object of the Association shall be the promotion of better and more systematic working of Museums throughout the Kingdom. In order to promote a better knowledge of Museums, the Association shall meet in a different town each succeeding year.
  • That each Museum contributing not less than one guinea a year be a Member of the Association, and that individuals interested in scientific work be admitted as Associates on payment of 10s. 6d. annually.
  • That each Museum be represented by three delegates, each having one vote. Each Associate to have one vote.
  • That each Museum belonging to the Association and each Associate receive one copy of the publications of the Association.
  • That a General Meeting of the Association be held annually, for the transaction of business, the reading of papers, and the discussion of matters relating to Museums

Annual Conferences

The Museums Association held annual conferences incorporating the Annual General Meeting, hosted by different museums:

Date Host museum President Notes
1890[3] William Brown Library and Museum, Liverpool Henry Higgins
1891[3] Cambridge University Museum of Zoology John Willis Clark
1892[3] Manchester Museum William Boyd Dawkins
1893[3] British Museum (Natural History), London William Henry Flower
1894[3] Dublin Science and Art Museum Valentine Ball
1895[3] Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Rev. Alfred Merle Norman
1896[3] Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow James Paton
1897[3] Oxford Ray Lankester
1898[3] Sheffield William Henry Brittain
1899[3] Brighton Alfred Hawkes
1900[3] Canterbury Henry Woodward
1901[3] Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art William Turner
1902[3] Bradford William Priestley
1903[3] Aberdeen Francis Arthur Bather
1904[3] Norwich Sidney Frederic Harmer
1905[3] Worcester Robert Windsor-Clive, 1st Earl of Plymouth
1906[3] Bristol William Evans Hoyle
1907[3] Albert Institute, Dundee John Maclauchlan
1908 Ipswich Museum Jonathan Hutchinson

References

  1. Lewis, Geoffrey (1989). For Instruction and Recreation: A Centenary History of the Museums Association. London: Quiller. ISBN 1-870948-37-8.
  2. "Museums Association". Museums Journal. Museums Association [etc .] I Volume I. 1902.
  3. Howarth, E. (Elijah); Rowley, F. R.; Butterfield, W. Ruskin; Madeley, Charles (1907). "List of Annual Conferences, with Places of Meeting and Names of Presidents". Museums Journal. London, Museums Association [etc.] VII (August 1907).
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