In 1841, the Royal Institution of South Wales founded the first museum in Wales. Specialist authors describe its formation as a learned society, and its survival into the twenty-first century. Lavishly illustrated throughout, the book reveals the varied and comprehensive collections within Swansea museum.

Notes on Contributors Acknowledgements Preface Lyndon Morris Introduction Jenny Sabine PART 1 Chapter 1The Swansea Context Louise Miskell PART 2 Foundations and Early Period Chapter 2 Beginnings 2.1 Origins and Ambitions Karmen Thomas 2.2 The BAAS meeting 1848 John Tucker 2.3 The Role of Women in the RISW Jenny Sabine 2.4 The Lectures Programme Gerald Gabb and Helen Hallesy 2.5 Education 1835-1939 Gerald Gabb Chapter 3 Swansea Museum 3.1 Planning and funding the building Helen Hallesy 3.2 Uses of building and extensions Gerald Gabb PART 3 The Collections Chapter 4 Sciences Introduction Iwan Morus 4.1 Geology Ronald Austin 4.2 Botany Kevin Davies 4.3 Other Natural Sciences Emma Williams 4.4 Photography Katy Williams Chapter 5 Artefacts and Records 5.1 The Archives Andrew Dulley 5.2 The Library Gerald Gabb 5.3 Maps and Charts Phil Treseder 5.4 Local Historians Gerald Gabb 5.5 Art Helen Hallesy 5.6 Ceramics Helen Hallesy 5.7 Archaeology Gerald Gabb 5.8 Egyptology Caroline Graves-Brown 5.9 Numismatics Alan and Noel Cox 5.10 Costume Deborah Griffiths 5.11 Miscellaneous Phil Treseder PART 4 Later developments Chapter 6 Introduction Elizabeth Belcham 6.1 The Museum during WW2 Helen Hallesy 6.2 The transfer to Swansea University Syd Howells 6.3 Swansea University to Swansea City Council Iwan Davies 6.4 Education post 1939 Gerald Gabb Chapter 7 Associated Societies Introduction Gerald Gabb and Helen Hallesy 7.1 Swansea Farmers Club Helen Hallesy 7.2 Musical Groups Gerald Gabb 7.3 Literary and Scientific Society Gerald Gabb 7.4 Swansea Astronomical Society Helen Hallesy 7.5 Swansea Geological Society Helen Hallesy 7.6 Swansea Scientific Society Gerald Gabb 7.7 Field Naturalists Society Gerald Gabb 7.8 Swansea Photographic Association Helen Hallesy 7.9 Welsh Society Gerald Gabb 7.10 Philatelic Society Helen Hallesy 7.11 Shiplovers’ Society Helen Hallesy 7.12 Gower Society Ruth and Malcolm Ridge 7.13 Swansea Little Theatre Eryl Jenkins and Dave Taylor 7.14 Gower Ornithological Society Gerald Gabb List of RISW Presidents 1835-2022 Bibliography List of Subscribers Index

Helen Hallesy is a science graduate and independent researcher on the history of the south Wales ceramic industries, focusing primarily on Swansea. She is the author of several books and articles on the subject, most recently publishing ‘Swansea Commemorative Pottery’ (2017). She is a long-standing Council member and Honorary Vice President of RISW.   Gerald Gabb taught History before becoming education officer for Swansea Museums Service. He is a RISW Council member and, since 2009, editor of the Swansea History Journal / Minerva. He has written extensively on the locality, most recently publishing Swansea and its History, II, The Riverside Town (2019).