NEWS FROM THE ANDREW CARNEGIE BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM

VENUE EVENT - CORPORATE RECEPTION

Solicitors Stevenson & Marshall invited clients and colleagues to their successful corporate reception on 4 February 2010, with wine tasting and silent auction, which raised a substantial sum for their chosen charities. The guests were addressed by Scottish entrepreneur and philanthopist, Sir Tom Farmer.

MUSEUM OPENS WITH - WANDERINGS WITH A CAMERA IN SCOTLAND, PHOTOS OF ERSKINE BEVERIDGE (RCAHMS)

The Museum opened a month earlier than usual on 1 March 2010 with 'Wanderings with a Camera in Scotland - the photography of Erskine Beveridge'. This touring photographic exhibition, courtesy of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, features a wide variety of remarkable images by Dunfermline linen manufacturer, Erskine Beveridge. The exhibition runs until 3 May and showcases a fascinating record of Victorian and Edwardian Scotland on the brink of major social and economic change.

CARNEGIE IN THE COMMUNITY

'Carnegie in the Community' was held to celebrate Andrew Carnegie's birthday on 25 November 2009. Representatives from local community groups, who had benefited from Carnegie grants during the year, were invited to a celebratory reception at the Museum and entertained by an enthusiastic group of young musicians from Inverkeithing High School.

HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MURISON BURNS COLLECTION

This temporary exhibition to mark the 250th anniversary of the Bard’s birth and the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2009 was on loan from Dunfermline Carnegie Library, 16 June – 31 July. Visitors enjoyed viewing this selection of rare items from the Library’s Murison Burns Collection which comprises 1500 books, 80 pictures, busts, souvenirs and many commemorative pieces and was donated to the City and Royal Burgh of Dunfermline in 1921 by Sir Alexander Gibb whose company constructed Rosyth Dockyard.

The Launch was attended by actor and writer Dr. John Cairney who is well known for his portrayal of Robert Burns on stage and screen and who has written several books on the poet.
Dr. Cairney praised the Murison Collection as ‘a Burns resource which is second only to the Glasgow Mitchell library in its range and equal to it in its international authorship’.

SARASOTA SISTER CITIES CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS

This presentation of awards was held in the Museum Main Hall on Thursday 18 June 2009 to acknowledge the success of local children and students against international competition in the annual Creative Writing Competition held in Sarasota, USA. The competition is one of many events supported by the Sarasota Sister Cities Twinning Association which encourages friendship and partnerships between the communities of Dunfermline and Sarasota.

CARNEGIE DUNFERMLINE TRUST CHILDREN OF COURAGE AWARDS

The Award Ceremony was conducted in the Museum Main Hall by Dr. David Smith, Chairman of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust on Tuesday 20 January 2009 to recognise the courage of local children and students, who had overcome severe personal difficulties or had displayed great courage in helping others. The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust aims to establish this award ceremony over future years.