The Ulster Museum, founded originally as the Belfast Natural History Society in 1821, has evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s foremost cultural institutions. Its history of public exhibitions began in 1833, and it expanded with the addition of an art gallery in 1890.
Originally named the Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery, the institution relocated to its current site in Stranmillis in 1929. The decision to construct a new building was made in 1913, with James Cumming Wynnes’ Neo-Classical design ultimately chosen from a competitive process. This design featured a central courtyard surrounded by four wings, embodying the museum as a grand “temple.” The proposed entrance façade, overlooking Botanic Gardens to the north, was envisaged with a grand Ionic colonnade reminiscent of Burnet’s Edward VII Galleries at the British Museum.
Due to delays caused by World War I and subsequent unrest in Ireland, actual construction did not commence until 1924. By then, the museum’s Neo-Classical style had become somewhat outdated compared to the emerging Art Deco movement that characterized much of the interwar architecture.
In the 1960s, a significant extension designed by Francis Pym was added to the museum. This extension, noted for its Brutalist architecture, has garnered both praise and criticism over the years, making it a notable example of this architectural style in Northern Ireland.
Today, the Ulster Museum boasts approximately 8,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing a diverse range of collections spanning art, history, archaeology, costumes, and culture. It stands as the largest museum in Northern Ireland and forms an integral part of National Museums Northern Ireland.
In 2019, the Ulster Museum welcomed 492,689 visitors, underlining its role as a significant cultural destination in the region.
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