Old Museum Building: Back to Life at EHOD

On Sunday 12th September 2021, UAH will be opening the Old Museum Building, where you can meet representatives from Ulster Architectural Heritage and Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society, see the building and learn more about its fascinating history and the progress in the long-term project, to bring this building at risk ‘back to life’.

Owned by the Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society (BNHPS) for 100 years the Old Museum Building housed the ‘Belfast Museum’ and associated collections, including ‘Takabuti’ the mummy. In 1929 the Belfast Municipal Museum and Art Gallery (now Ulster Museum), was opened in Botanic Gardens. Upon opening, the many artefacts, including Takabuti, were transferred to South Belfast.

Since then the building has continued to be the meeting place of the BNHPS, and has also been used for a number of different uses. The building was used as the Old Museum Arts Centre. (OMAC), a venue for creative arts, theatre and live events until April 2012 when alternative accommodation, the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) was opened. Part of the building is now occupied by Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH).

The Building will be open from 10am until 4pm and all are welcome. Booking essential. Please note that there is currently no lift and the front entrance is by way of a number of steps.

You can find out more about other openers across Northern Ireland through the EHOD Facebook page or the Discover Northern Ireland website.