University opens doors for museums month

The University of St Andrews is to open its doors to the public as part of the national Museums and Galleries Month 2001.

On 28 May (Bank Holiday Monday), Parliament Hall and the Senate Room, St Mary’s College, South Street will be open from 10am until 4pm. Visitors will be able to see some of the University’s collection of historic portraits, the blackstone, on which students sat for oral examinations from the 15th to 18th centuries, and the famous clocks, including the world’s first split seconds clock, made for the University by Joseph Knibb in 1673.

Meanwhile, the Bell Pettigrew Museum, the University’s museum of zoology, also based in St Mary’s College, will also be open from 10am until 4pm, with special activities for all ages. The amazing displays explore the animal kingdom and the evolutionary and taxonomic relationships between species.

In conjunction with these events, the Red Gown historical tours will depart at 11 am and 2.30pm from St Salvator’s chapel, North Street. Tours last 45-60 minutes and cover the exciting and dramatic history of St Andrews.

Admission to the Senate Room, Parliament Hall and Bell Pettigrew Museum is free. The Red Gown tours will, for this day only, be charged at a special price of £1.50 adults and £1.00 concessions (normal prices £4.00 and £3.50).

The annual Museums and Galleries Month runs from 1 May until 3 June 2001 with museums across the country arranging special events and activities – for further information see the website at http://www.may2000.org.uk/. Further information on the University’s involvement can be obtained from the Museum Collections Office on telephone 01334 462417.

The Museum Collections of the University of St Andrews were awarded Registered Museum status earlier this year.

ENDS

Issued by Beattie Media on behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information please contact Claire Grainger on 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or email [email protected] Ref: museummonth/standrews/chg/14may20 01