Exhibitions
MHC exhibits the History of Mussoorie from 1814 – 1959, chronolised, with some of the major events as per space permitting, permanently.
Another wall is dedicated to changing exhibitions. Each exhibition curated at MHC is a tediously researched work, where material is acquired from family collections, archives, contributors etc. Also such specialization helps in detailed research on subjects that can sometimes go unpondered upon.
Current
Past
⦁ Mussoorie During the Freedom Movement 1857-1947
This exhibition was organized to showcase how and what took place in Mussoorie during the Freedom movement. It showcased pictures not only of the Indian National leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and others in Mussoorie, but also the then existent British Families and their struggle in leaving their town.
Mussoorie during the Freedom Movement was an exhibition covering a time period from 1857, when the First war of Independence or the Indian Mutiny took place, till 1947 when India attained Freedom and the country was partitioned. How was Mussoorie affected by the 1857 upheavel in North India? What was the reaction in this primarily British town to the stirring Nationalism that began in 1920’s? Did the Indian National Leaders visit Mussoorie and kindle the flame of Nationalism? Did Mussoorie produce any local Freedom fighters? Did the Salt Satyagrah, Quit India Movement, Simon Commissions and other movements affect the common man of Mussoorie? What happened to the many Muslim families in Mussoorie during the Partition? What went through for the many British families who had to leave in 1947?
This Exhibition answered these and many other such questions ,through, Photographs, documents, old newspapers, Old letters, old Ads, Posters, artifacts, visuals etc.
⦁ Birds of Mussoorie in the 19th Century
Towards the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, Indian Natural history fascinated many foreign adventurers and travelers, who carried back with them as novelties to various European museums small collections of the skins and eggs of Indian birds. The discovery of Mussoorie and Landour in the 1820’s attracted many such travelers and researchers to this region. Some left vivid accounts of their discoveries, while some went into oblivion. This exhibition titled the ‘Birds of Mussoorie in the 19th century’, brings together some of the pictorial and descriptive accounts done in the 19th century of the present birds found in the region.
The highlight of the exhibition is the extinct Himalayan Quail (Malacoturnix Supercilliousus / Ophrysia superciliosa) which was last spotted in Mussoorie in 1876. Detailed account of the Quail by various Ornithologists such as E.Blyth, J.E.Gray, W.T. Blantford, etc have been compiled.
The exhibition also features designer Bird products by various designers from the Mussoorie region.
