Man, Myth and Museum: Iorwerth C. Peate and the Making of the Welsh Folk Museum

Iorwerth C. Peate, poet, author, and scholar, founded the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans, the first large open-air folk museum in Britain. This book is the first book-length critical study of Peate as a scholar and curator, using his papers and National Museum archives to provide a balanced view of his work. It also introduces his Welsh-language writings to anglophone readers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: University of Wales Press

The Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans holds a significant place in the realm of open-air folk museums in Britain. According to its creator, Iorwerth C. Peate, a multifaceted individual known as a poet, author, and scholar, this remarkable museum emerged as a singular achievement. This book stands as the first comprehensive critical exploration of Peate's scholarly and curatorial endeavors, penned by one of his successors at St Fagans. In contrast to previous commentaries that heavily relied on Peate's personal recollections and perspectives, this work takes a balanced approach, drawing upon extensive materials from Peate's own papers and the National Museum archives. It sheds light on his work within the broader context of National Museum policy and its aspiration to establish a national folk museum. Moreover, it emphasizes the critical role played by Peate's boss, Sir Cyril Fox, who was both a mentor and a source of contention. This volume also presents Peate's significant Welsh-language writings to an anglophone audience, expanding the accessibility of his intellectual contributions.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837720392