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Night at the Museum: Step back to early-1900s Bournemouth with ‘Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes’

Friday 14 May 6-9pm, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

 

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is for the first time taking part in the UK’s Museum’s at Night events. On Friday 14 May, the museum will create a special evening with character actors, story-telling, a candlelit atmosphere and a rare chance to experience the spectacular views of Bournemouth bay from its historic house.

 

Visitors will step back in time to the early-1900s as they join actors playing Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes and their staff. The wealthy couple Sir Merton Russell-Cotes (1835-1921) and Lady Russell-Cotes (1835-1920) created and lived in the quirky house, now the museum.

 

For conservation reasons the house is normally shielded from external light, but for this one night only the blinds will be opened.

 

Night at the Museum with Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes is on Friday 14 May 2010, 6-9pm. Entry £3.00 adults, £2.00 under-16s. The museum’s café bar will be open for refreshments. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, East Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth  BH1 3AA. For more details tel. 01202 451858 or visit www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk.

 

ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Museums at Night 2010

  1. Museums at Night 2010 is funded by the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and organised by Culture24. Museums at Night Weekend will take place over the weekend of Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May and the Europe-wide celebration will be on Saturday 15 May.

2.      Culture24 is a registered charity and not-for-profit online publisher, working across the arts, heritage, education, and tourism sectors.

3.      MLA is the government agency for museums, libraries and archives. Leading , the MLA promotes best practice to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all.

  1. La Nuit des Musées was introduced by the French Culture Department in 2005 to succeed Printemps des Musées and takes place on the Saturday nearest to International Museums Day (May 18). This event is supported by the Council of Europe and UNESCO. In 2009, over 2,500 museums in 41 European countries took part.
  2. Renaissance is the MLA’s ground-breaking programme to transform England’s regional museums. Central government funding since 2002 is enabling regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in support of education, learning, community development and economic regeneration.  

 

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

  1. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum was the home of Sir Merton Russell-Cotes (1835-1921) and Lady Russell-Cotes (1835-1920). The wealthy couple used their home to display the interesting objects that they collected during their world travels. 

 

  1. In 1907 Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes said that they were giving their home, art collection and beautiful objects to the Bournemouth people. In 1909 the house was officially opened to the public. In 1919 four art galleries were built and joined to the house. The Russell-Cotes continued to live in the house until their deaths.

 

  1. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a Registered Charity (no. 306288) administered by Bournemouth Borough Council.

 

  1. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth is a dramatic experience for visitors.  The exuberance and variety of styles found within the building creates a unique atmosphere that is a mixture of both private house and public museum.  Created by two dedicated collectors, the Russell-Cotes is a museum of national importance.

 

  1. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day), from 10am – 5pm and is at East Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA, UK,  T. +44 (0)1202 451 858, www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk

 

For press enquiries & images

Kerry Curtis, Marketing & Funding Manager,

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum:

 

T. +44 (0)1202 451858

DD. +44 (0)1202 451823

E. Kerry.Curtis@bournemouth.gov.uk

 

Visit our website at www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk