Michael Palin Supports Pitt Rivers Museum
OCTOBER 2005-06
copyright John Swannell
Michael Palin has shown his enthusiasm for the Pitt Rivers Museum by funding a year-long post to help restore the displays temporarily displaced by building work for the Museum’s new extension.
He said: “I have always loved the Pitt Rivers’ wonderful eclectic displays. In an over-regimented world, they engage and stimulate the curious, and encourage a genuine spirit of discovery. The Museum’s new extension will now provide the public facilities and the teaching and research spaces equal to the importance of the collections, and I am delighted that my support will help the displays themselves look their best when the new building opens”.
Previously Michael Palin, who is a Patron of the Museum’s Friends organization, has helped the Museum with a benefit performance linked to his television series ‘Hemingway Adventure’ at the Oxford Playhouse in 2000. He also donated The Claw, an ethnographic fake which featured in a short story in his book 'Ripping Yarns'. This is now on display in the Museum.
The Museum’s Director, Michael O’Hanlon, said: ‘the Museum is immensely fortunate in having a wonderful Friends organization with such supportive Patrons as Michael. His generous gift is a real boost as we plan for the completion of the new extension, expected later next year”.
