Pitt Rivers Museum - University of Oxford

Museum, London. Later in the month, Dr Diana Martin, of the Institute of Social and Cultural
Anthropology, talked on ‘Water Buckets, Baby Baths and Coffee Tables’. In November, Dr
Paul Oliver, from Oxford Brookes University, gave the first Friends talk in the new lecture
theatre on ‘Vernacular Architecture in the New Century’. The New Year began with Dr
Stephanie Dalley, of the Oriental Institute, on the subject of ‘The Hanging Gardens of
Babylon’. Valentine’s Day was celebrated with a fascinating talk on ‘Exploring Meaning in
West Polynesian Weapons’, given by Andrew Mills of the Museum. The final talk was in
March: ‘Acadie: The Archaeology of a Lost Colony in North-Eastern North America’, by
John Fowler from the Institute of Archaeology. In July, Barbara persuaded her daughter Dr
Gwyneira Isaac from Arizona State University, to give Friends an extra talk entitled ‘Tribal
Museums and Native American Knowledges’. Barbara is to be thanked for her commitment
and enthusiasm in arranging such a fascinating programme for the year.
On 23 May, the Beatrice Blackwood lecture was delivered by Marina Warner, writer,
critic, and professor of literature at the University of Essex. In ‘Dreams of Empire, Magic
Powers, Spirit Travel, Soul Theft’ she kept her audience enthralled with her expert
knowledge of the supernatural worldwide and through the centuries. Our thanks go to
Professor Mayer for hosting this event at the Said Business School, and to Rosemary Lee for
her impeccable organization.
As usual, throughout the year a faithful band of Friends continued to help at the
‘Family Friendly’ and ‘Pitt Stop’ sessions, and also to give support to the education service
guiding school groups around the Museum. On 19 May, numerous Friends were also
involved in helping with the main event of Museums and Galleries Month, when the Pitt
Rivers joined with the Natural History Museum to celebrate ‘In a Different Light’.
At the AGM on 20 June four new members were elected to Council: Terry Bremble,
Martin Burgess, Rosemary King, and Colin Langton. Sally Odd agreed to continue as
Treasurer. It was noted that the final payment of £7,500 pledged for the ‘Partnership with
Palin Appeal’ had been given to the Museum and that £1,000 had been awarded to Gilbert
Oteyo to enable him to continue his research in Kenya. The Membership Secretary Anna
Kingston-Jones retired earlier in the year and was replaced by Rosemary King, who will be
joined in January by Barbara Isaac. We are very grateful to Cathy Wright, who valiantly kept
the paperwork under control until a new Secretary was elected. Richard Briant, the Chairman,
thanked members of Council for their commitment and hard work during the year, before the
evening concluded with a passionate talk from Dr Laura Peers called ‘Seeking Knowledge,
Seeking Life: PRM Collections and First Nations Communities in Canada’.
By the end, a year that had started so quietly was gaining momentum. The Director was
able to tell us that the bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to remodel and improve the
Museum’s entrance had been successful, and that subject to the usual conditions work should
start in 2008. This was closely followed by more good news, as we learned that the Friends’
Newsletter was runner-up in the British Association of Friends of Museums newsletter
competition (under 500 members category) for 2007. It is gratifying that our Newsletter finds
an appreciative audience beyond the membership for the three issues produced each year.
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