This October will be the third year that organisations on the Isle of Man bring you Heritage Open Days over two weekends, providing access to properties, lands and displays usually closed to the public or normally charge admission.
 
Funded by the Trustees of the Manx Museum and National Trust, Manx National Heritage co-ordinate the event with the support of other Island organisations offering tours or access that is ‘beyond the usual’ for the public to enjoy for free, opening people’s eyes to the properties and places they may have not seen or heard about before.
 
Events are taking place Island-wide from 5th– 7th and 12th– 14th October and participating organisations include the Isle of Man Victorian Society, Jurby Transport Museum, Isle of Man Railways, Manx Transport Heritage Museum, the Isle of Man Constabulary, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Children, the Manx Heritage Foundation, the Leece Museum, A.R.E Motorcycle Collection, Milntown Gardens, the Manx Military and Aviation Museum and Manx National Heritage. Local historians Frank Cowin, Peter Kelly and Charles Guard will be conducting some of the guided tours.
 
Highlights of the programme include Castletown Police Station, designed by Baillie Scott and tours of Jane Crookall House, the former Maternity Home which will evoke memories for a large proportion of the population! The former Drill Hall of the Isle of Man Volunteers in Douglas will host a tour of its interesting history. There will be an opportunity to learn about Victorian Douglas, the quayside in Peel and see photographs of times gone by. The Manx Museum will be open on Sunday 7th October with tours designed especially for kids. Plus with the chance to get a behind the scenes peek at objects and conservation projects, this year’s programme is set to be the best yet.
 
There will be something for everyone and we can’t wait to help you explore! For the full programme of events pick up a leaflet or visit the website www.manxnationalheritage.im.