Museum Collections Centre

Overview

A new facility has been added to the roll call of venues and services operated by the City of Edinburgh Museums. Until now, the city's reserve collections - historic artefacts which are not permanently on show - have been stored away in a network of nooks and crannies. The Museum Collections Centre has been created to increase public access to the reserve collections by assembling them in the specially adapted facility at 10 Broughton Market.

The Collections Centre demonstrates the role of the reserve collections in providing artefacts for temporary exhibitions held in city museums. Its laboratory is a focus for discussion on conservation issues and environmental conditions in caring for our heritage. The Centre offers a service to a range of researchers and promotes a wider interest in local history by stimulating reminiscence.

The Museum Collections Centre is open to the public on the first afternoon of the first Tuesday of each month. Between 1400 and 1600 hours visitors can sample from the following free menu:

- An introduction to the Museum Collections Centre and its work

- A virtual tour of the Scott Monument

- An introduction to available research facilities

The Museums Collections Centre is also open to pre-booked group visits between 1000 and 1700 hours, Monday to Friday. While visiting organisations may have their own suggestions for topics of discussion, the museums service can suggest a range of subjects reflecting its Fine Art, Applied Art, Childhood, Social History, Literary and Archaeological collections.

Group visits within the working week are free - for special evening or weekend events there will be a minimal charge.

Arrangements can be made by e-mail or phone.