London, Greenwich Maritime Museum (58)
Treasures of Greenwich Maritime Museum
It began life as a school for the children of Seafarers in 1807. It was also the home to a naval-based art gallery but it wasn’t until 1927 when a public appeal was launched to bring the dream into reality.
Created in 1934 under the National Maritime Act and completed in 1937. It was officially opened by King George VI on the 27th April.
Greenwich has had many associations with the sea. From Roman settlement, the Royal Navy has strong ties with Greenwich, to the setting up of the Royal Observatory in 1675. It has associations with navigational instruments and astronomical study. Importantly Greenwich was been the site of GMT and Prime Meridian since 1884.
It’s fitting that they should build this magnificent Museum here, celebrating Britain’s history at sea. It has more than 2m items stored there. There are Paintings, scientific instruments, maps, manuscripts and ship’s models, not to mention a huge amount of other items.
Sir James Caird, a notable shipbuilder was the major donor, he lived from 1864-1954 and it is estimated that he donated £1.5m to the Museum. Each year the Museum presents a medal named after its main benefactor, this practice started in 1984. Two recipients Sir David Attenborough and Robert ‘Bob’ Ballard adorn the list of notable people awarded the medal. In 1937 a statue to Caird was sculpted by the very talented William Reid Dick and is situated in the Rotunda. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed statue and plinth.
A major renovation of the Galleries took place in 1999. It centred round the Neptune Court and was designed by Rick Mather Architects.
It is a great museum to visit, so much to see.
London, Greenwich Maritime Museum (58)
Treasures of Greenwich Maritime Museum
It began life as a school for the children of Seafarers in 1807. It was also the home to a naval-based art gallery but it wasn’t until 1927 when a public appeal was launched to bring the dream into reality.
Created in 1934 under the National Maritime Act and completed in 1937. It was officially opened by King George VI on the 27th April.
Greenwich has had many associations with the sea. From Roman settlement, the Royal Navy has strong ties with Greenwich, to the setting up of the Royal Observatory in 1675. It has associations with navigational instruments and astronomical study. Importantly Greenwich was been the site of GMT and Prime Meridian since 1884.
It’s fitting that they should build this magnificent Museum here, celebrating Britain’s history at sea. It has more than 2m items stored there. There are Paintings, scientific instruments, maps, manuscripts and ship’s models, not to mention a huge amount of other items.
Sir James Caird, a notable shipbuilder was the major donor, he lived from 1864-1954 and it is estimated that he donated £1.5m to the Museum. Each year the Museum presents a medal named after its main benefactor, this practice started in 1984. Two recipients Sir David Attenborough and Robert ‘Bob’ Ballard adorn the list of notable people awarded the medal. In 1937 a statue to Caird was sculpted by the very talented William Reid Dick and is situated in the Rotunda. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed statue and plinth.
A major renovation of the Galleries took place in 1999. It centred round the Neptune Court and was designed by Rick Mather Architects.
It is a great museum to visit, so much to see.