Summer starts at Powysland Museum

The Powysland Museum and Montgomery Canal Centre illustrates the history and development of life in Montgomeryshire from the earliest prehistoric settlers to the 20th century population. The collection is housed in a carefully restored and renovated 19th century warehouse by the Montgomery Canal.

 

The museum’s current temporary exhibition “The Fabulous Mineral Collection of Lady Henrietta Antonia, Countess of Powys” shows the fine collection of minerals assembled from around the world by the Countess of Powis. The exhibition is part of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ ongoing commitment to making the national collections as widely available as possible.

 

Lady Henrietta Antonia, daughter of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis, married Lord Clive (later Lord Powis) in 1784. The exhibition describes, for the first time, the history of this forgotten collection which, having previously been housed at Powis Castle, was donated to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales by the Earl of Powis in 1929.

 

At that time it was uncertain who had created the collection but the recent rediscovery of Lady Henrietta’s original handwritten catalogues, dated 1817, have revealed the true significance of the collection.

 

Dr Richards Bevins, Keeper of Geology, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said: “We are delighted to be sharing the treasures we hold for the nation with Powysland Museum. The exhibition proved to be very popular at National Museum Cardiff and this is an ideal opportunity for the people of mid Wales to appreciate these beautiful minerals.”

 

Eva Bredsdorff, Senior Museum Curator at Powysland Museum, said the exhibition represents the good partnership between the National Museum Wales and Powysland Museum.

 

Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday: 11am-1pm and 2-5pm

Saturday-Sunday: 10am-1pm and 2-5pm

Wednesday: closed

For further information contact Eva on 01938 554656 or at powysland@powys.gov.uk