National museums, archives and heritage in Wales

Association of Family History Societies of Wales

c/o Menna Evans, Adran Casgliadau, National Library of Wales

Aberystwyth SY25 3BU

www.fhswales.org.uk

The association was formed in 1981 as a grouping of the family history societies which then existed within Wales. Its constitution states that its Aims and Objectives are: to promote the study of family history and genealogy of Wales; to co-ordinate and support the activities of the family history societies in Wales; to promote and secure publication of material of particular interest and usefulness to family historians researching Welsh ancestry; to liaise with its affiliate members and other appropriate bodies in order to represent the interests and needs of its member societies.

Big Pit: National Coal Museum

Big Pit: National Coal Museum

Blaenafon NP4 9XP

01495 790 311

www.museumwales.ac.uk

Big Pit is a real colliery. It was the place of work for hundreds of men, women and children for over 200 years – a daily struggle to extract that precious mineral that stoked the furnaces and lit the household fires of the world.

Black History Association Wales

4 Dock Chambers, Bute Street

Cardiff CF10 5EQ

02920 256757

www.bhmwales.org.uk

BHAW aims to be the ‘go to hub’ for black history information, raising awareness of black history in Wales, establishing a sustainable education programme and training the trainers and facilitators across Wales to confidently deliver black history modules as part of the national curriculum all year round.

CyMAL: Museums Archives & Libraries Wales

Welsh Assembly Government, Rhodfa Padarn

Aberystwyth SY23 3UR

0300 062 2112

www.cymru.gov.uk/cymal

CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales (CyMAL) represents a significant investment by the Welsh Government in the development of local museums, archives and libraries services which meet 21st century needs.

MOMA Wales

Y Tabernacl, Heol Penrallt

Machynlleth SY20 8AJ

01654 703355

www.momawales.org.uk

The museum of Modern Art, Wales (MOMA WALES) has grown up alongside The Tabernacle, a former Wesleyan chapel which in 1986 reopened as a centre for the performing arts. MOMA WALES has six beautiful exhibition spaces which house, throughout the year, modern Welsh art, The Tabernacle Collection and The Brotherhood of Ruralists.

National Cycle Collection

The Automobile Palace, Temple Street

Llandrindod Wells LD1 5DL

01597 825531

www.cyclemuseum.org.uk

How big is a Penny Farthing’s wheel? And just how uncomfortable were those early bikes compared with today’s hi-tech versions? Journey through the lanes of cycle history and see bicycles from 1819, such as the Hobby Horse, Boneshakers and Penny Farthings up to the most modern Raleigh cycles of today. See historic shop replicas including early lamp collections.

National Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru

National Library

Aberystwyth SY23 3BU

01970 632 800

www.llgc.org.uk

The National Library of Wales is one of the great libraries of the world. Its home is in the seaside town of Aberystwyth in Ceredigion.

Collections: As a Legal Deposit Library The National Library of Wales has a legal right to all UK publications. Its collections include ancient Welsh and Celtic manuscripts and items of particular interest to Wales and the Celtic nations.

National Museum Cardiff

Cathays Park

Cardiff CF10 3NP

029 20397951

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff

Discover art, archaeology, natural history and geology. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, we have something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – and admission is free.

Collections: The Welsh national archaeology, art, geology, botany and zoology collections. Highlights include one of the finest Impressionist art collections in Europe and the ‘Evolution of Wales’ exhibition – the history of Wales from the Big Bang until today, complete with dinosaurs and woolly mammoth.

National Museums & Galleries of Wales

Cathays Park

Cardiff CF1 3NP

029 2039 7951

www.nmgw.ac.uk

Through our outstanding collections, curatorial excellence and learning expertise, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is ideally placed to strengthen tolerance, citizenship and mutual respect for the diverse communities of Wales and the world.

National Roman Legion Museum

High Street

Caerleon NP18 1AE

01633 423 134

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/roman

Almost 2000 years ago, the Roman Empire dominated the civilised world. Britain was its furthest outpost and, in AD 75, a fortress was founded at Caerleon which would guard the region for over 200 years.

National Screen & Sound Archive of Wales

The National Library of Wales

Aberystwyth SY23 3BU

01970 632828

www.screenandsound.llgc.org.uk

The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales is home to a comprehensive and unequalled collection of films, television programmes, videos, sound recordings and music relating to Wales and the Welsh. The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales is responsible for safeguarding and celebrating Wales’ rich audio-visual heritage.

National Slate Museum

Welsh Slate Museum, Padarn Country Park

Llanberis LL55 4TY

01286 870630

www.nmgw.ac.uk

The museum building is sited in the Victorian workshops built in the shadow of Elidir mountain, site of the vast Dinorwig quarry. Not so much a museum as a pocket of history, it is as though the quarrymen and engineers put down their tools and left the courtyard for home, just hours before. Civilised close-up exploration of the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain. Slate-splitting demonstrations by hand-craftsmen revealing the skills and artistry of generations of quarry workers. The perilous ups and downs of a 19th century incline plane, a unique restoration of the machinery which transported slate.

National Waterfront Museum

Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter

Swansea SA1 3RD

02920 573600

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/swansea

The National Waterfront Museum tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. The Industrial Revolution in Wales had a tremendous effect on People, Communities and Lives as well as that of the rest of the World. Visitors can soak up the history with a breathtaking mix of old and new in the city’s rapidly developing maritime quarter.

National Wool Museum

Dre-fach Felindre

Llandysul SA44 5UP

01559 370929

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/wool

Wool was historically the most important and widespread of Wales’ industries. The picturesque village of Dre-fach Felindre in the beautiful Teifi valley was once the centre of a thriving woollen industry earning the nickname ‘The Huddersfield of Wales’.

St Fagans: National History Museum

Cardiff CF5 6XB

029 2057 3500

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans

One of Europe’s biggest and most exciting open-air museums. Here you will find centuries of Welsh social history gathered together in 100 acres of beautiful countryside.