19
Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts
Hong Kong Museum of History
In addition to its permanent exhibition, 'The Hong Kong Story, the Hong Kong Museum of History organised three large exhibitions in 2013: 'The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia' showcasing more than 170 artefacts from the British Museum, 'The Splendours of Royal Costume: Qing Court Attire' featuring some 130 items from the Palace Museum, including robes. and accessories worn by the Qing emperors and imperial consorts, and 'Images Through Time: Photos of Old Hong Kong, featuring more than 700 photos from the museum and the collection of the Moonchu Foundation. The first two exhibitions (the third will run until April 2014) attracted more than 294,000 visitors, and an additional 172,939 participated in their education and extension activities. In addition, a series of Chinese music ensemble concerts were also staged in the 'The Hong Kong Story' Permanent Exhibition Gallery. Over 864,000 people visited the museum in 2013.
The museum organised a range of programmes and events for different sections of the community, including those with disabilities, the elderly, new immigrants, teenagers, students, teachers and ethnic minority groups. The museum launched a variety of events for 'International Museum Day 2013, Hong Kong' in May, and 65,647 visitors visited the LCSD's museums on 18 and 19 May.
The Hong Kong Museum of History also manages five branch museums: the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum and the Law Uk Folk Museum.
The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, converted from the old Lei Yue Mun Fort in Shau Kei Wan, attracted 117,444 visitors in 2013. In addition to its permanent exhibition, '600 Years of Hong Kong's Coastal Defence, the museum staged two exhibitions in 2013: 'Anti-Japanese War Heroes: An Exhibition on the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column'and 'Unsung Bravery: History of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps!
Some 59,100 people visited the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum in 2013. Housed in historic Kom Tong Hall, it contains two permanent exhibitions relating to Dr Sun's life and career. Two special exhibitions were held in 2013: 'Dr Sun Yat-sen and His Family' and 'History in Prints: The 1911 Revolution in Guangdong.
The Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery in Quarry Bay Park displays the decommissioned fireboat and literature on the history of fireboats and sea rescue as well as relics. Some 65,600 people visited the gallery in 2013.
The other two branch museums, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum in Sham Shui Po and the Law Uk Folk Museum in Chai Wan, attracted some 35,660 and 13,000 visitors in 2013 respectively.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Major exhibitions organised by the museum in 2013 included 'Fabergé: Legacy of Imperial Russia' exhibition (jointly organised with the Moscow Kremlin Museums and the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, and including Fabergé eggs, silverware, jewellery and a variety of
337