What are your thoughts on a permanent TT Museum, or perhaps one with a wider remit, bearing in mind the Enduros,trials etc that the Isle of Man competirors excel in?
The current "Staying the Course" exhibition has just been extended to November, and I know it will not be possible to make that permanent as the space is needed for other things, and some of the exhibits were specially loaned for the centenary.
However, given the wonderful Museums we have here, highlighting the Vikings, Tynwald and all the other cultural icons of the Island.. it seems odd that motorcycling gets only a wee sideshow most of the time.
The Bungalow building is too out of the way, and I think has probably reached its falldown by date. So, what are your thoughts, suggestions? How would it be funded, where should it be? (part of the regeneration of Ramsey?)What should be in it? It could be planned now and open for the Centenary of the Mountain Course in 2011?
Just a few thoughts... what do YOU think?

Perhaps due to the massive popularity of the current TT exhibition, it will finally sink in with Government and the DTL that there must be a permanent home found or built for a specialist TT Museum.

Tynwald Mills would have been ideal in terms of size and location (so close to the start of the original course) but consumerism broke out there first.

Ramsey deserves a TT Museum (and a restored pier) if only because there is such discrimination against the town by Government and business. There is a building with potential at Gladstone Park.

Also, perhaps Milntown House(?) which had, and may still have, a motorcycle collection would be a suitable location.

Tony East has a superb little museum at Kirk Michael, and could be the man to get such a project off the ground.

It has been talked about for long enough. Let's have it!

All Aussies I know who visit the TT say to me on their return....did you get to see the Museum at the Bungalow........Museums are of immense interest to everyone.....there can never be enough, no matter what the subject/s.

... and the best in the world are those built up by The Manx Museums

Well done, Don! Your response should be forwarded to every media outlet on the Island.

If Manx National Heritage and the Manx Government can't see this as a demand and reasons for positive action on the TT Museum front, they should have their combined heads removed from the sand.



...............and they should give you the job of project development manager.

Great views of the old house on the following pages by Peter Killey
http://www.manxscenes.com/2005/June/10.htm
http://www.manxscenes.com/2005/June/9.htm
The oral historians like Geoff Cannell and Peter Kneale are leaving us fast this valuable heritage is the responsibility of those in responsible positions today. History will judge them harshly if they drop the ball.
The TT is a thing of reverence all over the world and for many visitors to the Island it is in the order of a pilgrimage where every corner and landmark on the Mountain Course are regarded in awe.
Ask the Italians, the Germans, the Dutch or the Japanese and it is the true enthusiasts wish to visit the IOM once in their life.
And what better place to record with honour all those past champions in a quiet and respectful setting nestled in Glen Auldyn at, as Joey said, "The last jump before Ramsey", with high above them the Guthrie Memorial on the Mountain.
The place is steeped in history, it is right at the start of the Millennium Way, it is the home of the famous Christian family and the scene of the famous battle between the Norsemen and the Manx underneath Sky Hill. The battlefield photo below is much as it is today immediately opposite Milntown House.

Sorry I left the credit off the above photo. It was by David Radcliff http://www.manxarch.iofm.net
His site is well worth the visit.

An excellent posting Don, I do hope that your suggestions are taken up.

Many of us have our own "Vast Collections" which could be donated properly and could be on permanent display in a custom-made facility with suitable security.

I thought the one set up for the Centenary was very good but it was really only for the 2007 TT and Manx. It did however show that people would flock to a real TT museum even outside of the TT and Manx periods.

Good call Don...contact IOMONLINE !!

Don, You clearly have given this idea alot of thought and what an idea! I agree with your proposals. The location and intention to house such a collection/museum/meeting place is right on the mark I just hope that it can be realised. At TT 2007 I visited the Manx Museum to see the centenary exhibition on Mad Sunday. Big mistake, it was closed. I'm still astonished that the museum was closed that day. Time and 3 consecutive race days meant that I never got to see the exhibition at all. It is unlikely that I will visit again before the current exhibition closes.

Now that Murrays has closed and been dispersed perhaps the time is right for such an idea as you propose. The history of this event must be recorded in such a way that it's people, their machines and their stories celebrates all that is special about the IOM and the TT.

All I ask is that you stay open on Sundays. alf

Bringing this one back up, so we can add any thoughts, in the light of the end of the "Staying the Course" exhibition, by far the best, and I am sure the most popular exhibition the Manx Museum has ever put on.
It is a credit to Matthew Richardson and the dedicated team who worked on it, and they must be pleased by the reaction it got. At times there were queues round the side of the building, and it suffered a little from the traditional Manx "shut on Sunday" syndrome, as many who came for the races thought they would spend Sunday there.
Having recently heard an MHK passionately declare that the TT belongs to the Manx people and is part of the Manx culture, we now need a Manx Motorcycling Museum, on a par with the magnificent Viking Museum in Peel.
Some excellent suggestions have already been made and I intend printing out this whole thread soon, and sending it to MHKs. Anyone got anything they want to add?

My twopennorth is very small.
The posting by Don is the key to the whole thing, in my
humble opinion.
All his points are not only valid, they are a wish list!
Its a shame Don is busy and far away.....

One point that I would like to beef up on.
Knowledgeable volunteers would really make it rock!!
Or lets call them "legend tours"
Yes, I pinched that idea from Arsenal FC, but its just as valid
for the T.T. and bike racing.
I did a tour of Arsenals Highbury stadium before it closed.
My "legend" for the day was one Sammy Nelson.
He made it truly come to life with his tales of the 1960s.
We have our own Sammy Nelsons in the racing world too.
The list would be endless!
Starting with legends like Nick Jeffries, Charlie Williams and of
course, Milky Quayle.
A job for life Richard?
Even our own Cargo would be good at it.
The more I think about it, the more excited I get.

I recently visited Tangmere aerodrome museum.
I was taken round by someone I worked with at Britax for 27
years, one David Burleigh. Not a pilot, but a walking aviation
history encyclopedia. It was a real treat.
He is now retired from full time work and spends his days
at Tangmere.

If the MHKs miss this trick, I will be amazed!

Oh, and lets get the Steam Packet involved as sponsors, or
whichever ferry company runs the service by then.....

The Manx Museum has a network of wonderful "Friends" and all the small museums, like the fabulous Nautical Museum here in Castletown (and the Castle, the Old Parliament and Old Grammar School here too) have escorts who take you round and tell you all the background, the history and those little stories you would never otherwise know about. That is one of the reasons the Manx museums are so good. they are brought to life by the enthusiastic guides.
A retirement occupation for Ian, maybe?

Milntown House was the home of the late Sir Clive Thomas and Bob Thomas who had a splendid collection of bikes and cars housed in what was the Parish Mill. Bob was co-owner (with Beaulieu) of the Freddie Dixon banking sidecar and owner of the surviving 1922 Vauxhall four-cylinder motorcycle (fabulous machine - I've ridden it!)
The house is now run by the Milntown Trust, who intend to open the grounds to the public next year. They are in the process of installing the neccessary amenities (loos, etc.). I feel it would make a worthy site for a TT Museum, I have many contacts who would dearly love to exhibit their bikes and artefacts in a permanent TT museum, possibly rotating machines on a yearly basis so it is fresh from one TT to the next.

May I suggest that the posting directly above this names the best guy for the job of curator - and an entertaining guide?

I would definitely second that Peter.
He lives not far from the site and has a fatal attraction for the TT and MGP.
In Japan they have NINGEN-KOKUHO or LIVING NATIONAL TREASURES and Bill would certainly qualify as one on the IOM.

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/isle-of-man-bu...3494831.jp