RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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plants and animals in China. It attracted 83 030 visitors. The exhibition on Local Traditional Fisheries attracted 219 611 visitors. In July, the museum presented its second exhibition on postal history, entitled A Stamp Is Born, and issued a commemorative cover to mark the occasion.
To promote interest in local archaeology and historical monuments, the museum presented an exhibition on the preliminary results of excavations at Tung Lung Fort. The display also explained the process of restoration and conservation carried out to protect the fort. During the year, the museum made much progress in preparing documentation of the finds in the Central Archaeological Repository which has been built up with the co-operation of the Antiquities and Monuments Office. The museum also completed an important ethnographical project: the collection of local folk songs.
The government has approved in principle a plan for a new Museum of History to be built at Chatham Road East.
Hong Kong Space Museum
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The Hong Kong Space Museum continued to provide a wide range of educational and entertaining programmes which were enjoyed by 741 000 visitors throughout the year. Various exhibit models in the museum's exhibition halls were improved or replaced during the year. The two new sky shows discussed the themes of volcano eruption and the history of space travel. These shows attracted a total audience of 309 000. To foster an interest in astronomy, particularly among young people, the museum organised various extension activities, including astronomy classes, and an astro-photographic competition. Around 5 700 people participated in these activities.
Hong Kong Museum of Science and Technology
The Science Museum project moved a further step forward in 1984 when the government decided that a permanent museum of some 20 000 square metres should be built, subject to the availability of funds. A prime site in Tsim Sha Tsui East has been earmarked for the project.
Science exhibitions and lectures are organised regularly by the Science Museum Planning Office. During the year, a Science in Action exhibition attracted 100 000 visitors in three weeks at the City Hall and another 50 000 people when presented at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and the Tsuen Wan Town Hall.
New Territories Museum Activities Section
The New Territories Museum Activities Section of the Cultural Services Department continued its planning, design and management of museums in the New Territories. The Sheung Yiu Folk Museum in Sai Kung opened in January. Other museums under planning include the Hong Kong Railway Museum at the old Tai Po Market Station and the Sam Tung Uk Folk Museum in Tsuen Wan.
Hong Kong Museum of Art
In January, a branch museum of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, at Cotton Tree Drive in Central District, was opened by Lady Youde, wife of the Governor. An opening exhibition of Chinese tea ware was held to introduce the history of Chinese tea and tea-drinking habits with the aid of over 200 items of tea ware, historical pictures and audio-visual programmes.