Special events at Milford museum
Thursday, 11 September 2008
MILFORD House Museum is taking part in the European Open Heritage days for the first time this Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.
To celebrate, the Milford Buildings Preservation Trust - a registered charity - is organising a series of events at the museum and walking tours of the gardens at Milford House.
For the first time ever the public will be allowed access to the grounds of Milford House. It is said that owner Mr McCrum thought more of his gardens than he did of his house and Milford House and its fountain, a listed monument and art treasure stolen in 1996, are now registered as two of the listed buildings at most serious risk on the BARNI Register (Buildings at Risk Register Northern Ireland).
The public will be able to explore the 14 acres of gardens which includes the stables, three walled gardens, the south lawns and the pavilion.
It is home to rare trees and plants which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order. Although the gardens are now overgrown and like the house derelict, visitors will still find this an interesting experience and will be in no doubt as to how spectacular Milford House was and could be again.
Walking tours will be given by Stephen McManus, who will tell visitors the how at the age of 15 he set up the Milford Buildings Preservation Trust to protect promote and preserve Milford House for the benefit of everyone. The museum is housed in the Milford House Gate Lodge, which was built in 1880.
The gate lodge has a wonderful lived in feeling and contains many of the remaining contents and McCrum family possessions which are the generous gift of the Miller family, the great grandchildren of Robert Garmany McCrum, who created Milford House and village.
There is also the vast Manor House School collection and is an excellent opportunity for people to meet the trustees and volunteers who have dedicated the last nine years to protecting Milford House.
A special exhibition will be unveiled in the Blue Bedroom of the Gate Lodge. The Trust is displaying a Lego exhibition which is kindly on loan from the Stephen McManus Collection and is bound to prove popular with children.
Items range from the Spanish Armada to the Wild West and historic castles. The main attraction is the Lego city, which has a railway and even film studios where Dracula is currently being filmed and the exhibition is aimed at helping children understand the importance of built heritage and architecture.
Afternoon tea and light refreshments will be served at the museum to help raise money to acquire items of McCrum family silver for Milford House.
During European Open Heritage weekend, visitors to Milford House should take time to explore the beautiful model village of Milford. Milford House Museum is situated at end of Hill Street Milford and is open Saturday, September 13 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, September 14, 10am - 5pm.
Walking tours of the grounds take place every hour on Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Please note this does not include access to Milford House itself and visitors for the walking tours are to go to museum where they will be met by guide.
Contact Milford House Museum on 3752 5467, Stephen McManus, keeper of collections, on 078 5478 4256 or Armagh Tourist Information on 3752 1800 for further information.
