Crowdfunding

The Abertay Historical Society’s 20182019 session continues on Wednesday, October 10, with an evening lecture led by Merle Palmer entitled ‘McManus 168: Crowdfunding before the Internet’.

Merle Palmer, who was project co-ordinator of the McManus 168 project says: “The McManus 168 project, was set up by the McManus 168 Group (Supporters of The McManus) to mark the 150th anniversary of The McManus and to shed new light on Dundee’s history and heritage.”

The project, which ran from 2017 to 2018, took the original list of subscribers published in The Dundee Advertiser in December 1863 and with the help of more than 100 volunteers researched the individuals or companies who were the Victorian equivalent of 21st Century ‘crowdfunders’.

Merle adds: “The project has revealed a wealth of stories and celebrates the role individuals and companies played in the social and urban improvement of Dundee.”

The event offers an opportunity to find out about the project, the enthusiastic volunteers and the subscribers – the manufacturers, merchants, textile workers, doctors and seafarers – who made the Albert Institute possible.

The event takes place in Lecture Theatre 2 of the Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee starting at 6.30pm, with doors open from 6pm. Further information may be obtained from Matthew Jarron, 01382 384310 or email museum@dundee.ac.uk