ENG-2009 — Page 470

390 | Recreation, Sport and the Arts

Hong Kong Museum of History

In addition to the permanent exhibition, 'The Hong Kong Story', the Hong Kong Museum of History held a number of themed exhibitions including 'Modern Metropolis: Material Culture of Shanghai and Hong Kong' and 'A Century of China' that were organised in collaboration with Mainland museums to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. These aimed to facilitate academic and cultural inter-flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The museum also mounted exhibitions on the history of Hong Kong and South China, which included 'City of Victoria', a selection of the Museum's historical photographs, 'Traditional Festivals in Hong Kong' and 'Pioneer Archaeologist in South China' featuring Father Maglioni's collection of archaeological finds. More than 685 000 people visited the museum during 2009.

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 was converted from the old Lei Yue Mun Fort in Shau Kei Wan. In addition to its permanent exhibition, '600 Years of Hong Kong's Coastal Defence', the museum staged two thematic shows during the year: 'History of Island East' and 'People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison'. Some 129 000 people visited the museum during the year.

The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum housed in historic Kom Tong Hall contains exhibits relating to Dr Sun's life and career. In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, there were three thematic exhibitions, '1911 Revolution in China' featuring the photographs of Francis Stafford, 'A Sketch of Soong Ching Ling and Her Artefacts' and 'Icon of an Era - the Dr Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum 1929.6.1'. Some 109 000 people visited the museum during the year.

The Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, situated at Quarry Bay Park, is centred around the decommissioned fireboat and features an exhibition on the history of fireboats and sea rescue. During 2009 it attracted more than 115 000 visitors.

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 34 000 and 15 000 visitors respectively.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

To coincide with 'Le French May 2009' and its themes of the year 'A Salute to Masters', the Hong Kong Heritage Museum presented the Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition 'The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957' featuring post-war couture during a decade described by Christian Dior as the 'Golden Age' of fashion. Le French May is a French arts festival held in Hong Kong annually, organised by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise with the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.