Thursday 31 October 2019, 6.30pm

From Altar Stone to Whan Scar: Nic Coombey

Coastwise Project Officer Nic Coombey from the Solway Firth Partnership will describe how he discovered the stories that lie behind our coastal place names and how he has preserved them for the future.

Monday 11 November 2019, 12.30pm - 4.15pm

Transit of Mercury across the sun

This rare event takes place only 13 times each century and is not always visible from the UK. Astronomers will be on hand at the museum with sun filtered telescopes and viewing glasses. Come along and join the Mercury party – lots of fun filled facts and activities. School groups welcome – please call us in advance so that we can make sure to accommodate you (tel 01387 253374). The next transit of Mercury will not place until 2032.

This event has been organised in partnership with Dumfries Astronomy Society.

Monday 11 November 2019, 5pm - 7pm

Music of the spheres

To celebrate the rare astronomical event of the transit of Mercury the museum is hosting a one hour teatime concert by the Galloway Consort who interweave renaissance music within a story-telling framework. In this carefully researched programme they imagine the lives of famous 16th and 17th century astronomers such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei from the perspective of the women in their lives. Followed by tea/coffee, cake this is a not to be missed evening opportunity to visit the museum and 19th century Observatory created from a disused windmill.

Entry is free. Voluntary donations to the museum are appreciated.

Thursday 14 November 2019, 6.30pm

The life and photographs of Dr Werner Kissling: Kirsty Kernohan

Dr Werner Kissling (1895-1988) was a German soldier and diplomat. His career ended with his rejection of the Nazi Party and he dedicated the rest of his life to photographing Scottish crafts, agricultural practices, and architecture. He eventually settled in Dumfries. This talk explores his life and the photographs he took.

This project is a partnership between Dumfries Museum and The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities

Thursday 21 November 2019, 6.30pm

A Car for Women and other
Arrol-Johnston stories: Dr Nina Baker

Dr Nina Baker will bring to life the stories of the women who worked in the Heathhall and Tongland factories of Arrol-Johnston, before, during and after the First World War. Most famously, the managing director’s daughter, Dorothée Pullinger, was trained as an engineer and helped manage the factories as well as design the Galloway car, marketed for women drivers. Other pioneering women also got their start in engineering there and one, sadly, met her end.

In retirement Dr Baker uses her academic and teaching experience in engineering design to research the history of women in engineering and to promote STEM careers for girls.