Galway City Museum has recently received funding from the Heritage Council to undertake conservation work on a Victorian wedding collection. The Annie Woods Collection was kindly donated to the museum in 2019 by a granddaughter of the original owner, Annie Shorten (nee Woods ).
Galway City Museum is grateful to the Heritage Council for funding the specialist work required to ensure this wonderful 120 year old collection is preserved for many more years to come.
The collection includes a wedding dress and accessories which belonged to Galway born Annie Woods. Annie, whose address is listed in the records as ‘Bayview, Salthill, Galway’, was born in 1871 to Elizabeth (1836-1919 ) and Samuel Woods (1812-1894 ), a postmaster. On 5 June 1900 she married Cork man, Benjamin Shorten at the Methodist & Presbyterian Church, Victoria Place, Eyre Square, Galway.
Galway City Museum organised two online lectures about the Annie Woods Collection for National Heritage Week 2021. For anyone who missed the lectures they will remain accessible on the museum website www.galwaycitymuseum.ie
The collection is currently undergoing vital conservation works and so is not on display in the museum. The lectures give Galway people an opportunity to connect with Annie’s story and to get a rare insight into the conservation process in museums.
Textile Conservator, Róisín Miles talks about the Woods and Shorten families, Annie’s wedding dress and accessories, and the work being undertaken to conserve the collection.
The second lecture is from Norma Owens, Researcher with The Headford Lace Project. Norma gives a brief history of Headford Lace before focussing on the lace pieces within the Annie Woods Collection, that are likely to be examples of Headford Lace. Here is what Norma had to say about the Annie Woods Collection on behalf of the Headford Lace Project:
“Headford Lace Project were very excited to learn about the beautiful Annie Woods Collection and were honoured to be invited to view it by the museum. As a project that champions women’s history and crafts, particularly from county Galway, this collection that is so firmly rooted in place and time is such a treasure.
“The fact that we discovered some potential Headford Lace within the collection is especially significant. We are delighted that the collection has been conserved and that it will be staying at home here in Galway for generations to come to study and enjoy, said Norma Owens, The Headford Lace Project
Both lectures are suitable for ages 12+ and are available at www.galwaycitymuseum.ie .
The conservation works funded by the Heritage Council through their Community Heritage Scheme 2021 are well underway. Thanks to them, some of the beautiful pieces within the Annie Woods Collection may, one day, be displayed at Galway City Museum.
Galway City Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday on four daily timeslots; 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm. Free tickets can be booked at galwaycitymuseum.ie or via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/37Zugod .
