John Muir's Birthplace

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Content updated Sun, 21 Apr 2002 12:40:03 GMT

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DJMA Newsletter #10

DJMA Newsletter #11

DJMA Newsletter #12

Newsletter No. 11
January 1999

Scottish Charity No 022857

Contents

1. Programme of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of John Muir's departure for America from Dunbar on 19th February 1999
   1. John Muir Exhibition
   2. John Muir Exhibition Reception
   3. Folk Night
   4. No Homework Night
   5. Pageant
   6. Ceilidh
   7. Illustrated Talk
2. Editorial
3. From the Convener
4. Trawling the 'Net
5. Birthplace Trust Update
   1. Purchase Date
   2. Fund Raising to Date
   3. Raising Muir's Profile
6. Town Trail
7. Membership Renewal

Further information and Tickets available from Dan Cairney (Dan. Smith Tailor, High St.) or tel. 01368-863162 (Will Colin), 01368-865257 (Duncan Smeed) or 01368-863211 (Liz McLean)
[Pin the separate anniversary programme on your pinboard for reference. Ed]

Editorial

I hope you have all had a good and peaceful Christmas and a happy and busy Hogmanay.

To make use of those great reserves of new energy you have surely accumulated, I would like to encourage you to make 1999 a year to remember for the Dunbar's John Muir Association. Two things will need our time and effort this year especially:

• Phase TWO of the John Muir's Birthplace Appeal (Refurbishment)
• 150th anniversary of John Muir leaving Dunbar.

The Purchase of the John Muir House has taken place: read Will Collin's article for the latest information and to see what more you can do to contribute. John Muir's leaving Dunbar on 19th February 1849 will be remembered in special events throughout February. Make sure you get a piece of the action!

YOUR HELP IS REQUIRED

Raffle prizes for the Ceilidh on Feb. 19: you can leave prizes at Daniel Smith, Tailor, 55 High St., Dunbar, or bring them with you on the night.

I want to thank the contributors to No.11 of this newsletter for their time, and would like to take this opportunity to invite all readers warmly to share any interesting information, questions, and comments with the rest of the readership. Although I am in no position to give you a deadline at this point, all letters, articles, etc. will be dutifully collected and will be used in subsequent newsletters. If applicable, make sure you note any deadline clearly on your contribution.

Looking forward to lots of feedback.
Ed.
Ute Penny, 2, Implement Rd., West Barns, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1WN, Scotland
Tel. 01368-864 879
E-mail: 100760.3610@compuserve.com

From the Convener

This newsletter brings you news of several important milestones related to John Muir's connection with Dunbar. Firstly there is the excellent news that John Muir House at 128 High Street, Dunbar, has been bought by the John Muir Birthplace Trust - a charity established jointly by Dunbar Community Council, Dunbar's John Muir Association, East Lothian Council, and the John Muir Trust.

Suffice to say here that DJMA is delighted to be part of this project and is still working hard to help raise the necessary funds to cover the cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the property. With all three floors - rather than just the top floor - of 128 High Street available, a more comprehensive and fitting exhibition worthy of the man is made possible: here the story of Muir's boyhood in Dunbar and the immense contribution Muir made to the preservation movement in the USA and beyond by means of his work and writings will be hosted. DJMA Council will, of course, keep you informed of developments in future newsletters.

Later in this issue Will Collin, Treasurer and Trustee of the John Muir Birthplace Trust, gives more details of progress to date.

The second milestone is the 19th February 1999, which will mark the 150th anniversary of John Muir's final departure from Dunbar. On this day in 1849 John, his father Daniel, along with his brother David and sister Sarah left for the New World and a fresh start in America. - Regular readers of the DJMA Newsletter may recall the contribution by Stephen Bunyan, which gave the background to Daniel Muir's decision to emigrate [Newsletter no. 8]. - John was told of this momentous event when his father came home and announced "Bairns you need na' learn your lessons tonight for we're gaun to America the morn!"

To celebrate this turning point in Muir's life, DJMA has organised a series of events for February. I would encourage as many local residents as possible to support our efforts. Could therefore all DJMA members please publicise them as widely as possible. Any proceeds from the events will be donated to the John Muir Birthplace Appeal. I look forward to welcoming you at these events and would be delighted to welcome any family and friends too - you certainly don't have to be a DJMA member to participate.

As ever, I am immensely grateful to the all members of DJMA and, in particular, to my fellow DJMA Council members. Enthusiasm for the principles and ideals set forth by Muir is, primarily, what makes the Association an effective force within the local community and beyond. I hope that triumphs such as the purchase of John Muir House serve as an encouragement to all of us. Jim Thompson, DJMA Membership Secretary, has included a subscription reminder in this Newsletter and I hope that all members whose subscription is now due will resubscribe. Please also try and recruit some more members from amongst your family and friends, as DJMA will have a vital role to play in the development and operation of the new and improved John Muir House. [Separate subscription forms enclosed. Ed]

Duncan Smeed, Convener.

PS. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at djma@djma.org.uk or by phone in the evenings on 01368 865257. Thanks.

Trawling the 'Net

DJMA regularly receives e-mails from fellow Muir enthusiasts from all over the world. Most notable of these in recent months were a series of inquiries from a David Nanney [http://www.kcd.com/eaglebb] of Haines, Alaska. David's initial contact has now 'escalated' to the point of some form of 'Sister Cities' protocol between the communities of Haines and Dunbar. The designation of 'Sister City' has now been agreed to by Dunbar Community Council. [An interview with Margaret Watson, who has recently been to Haines, will appear in the next Newsletter. Ed]

Further details of this story and others can be found on the website which, incidentally is now almost one year old [now at http://www.djma.org.uk]. Graham White keeps in regular e-mail contact with DJMA. Graham has been helping to co-ordinate a visit of primary school children from Yosemite Elementary in California. The visit will take place in May and the children will be working/staying with children from Dunbar and West Barns Primary Schools for about three days. The idea is that they do a conservation project while they are here and to receive the John Muir Award as a result. Again, further details will be made available on the web site in due course.

Duncan Smeed djma@djma.org.uk

Birthplace Trust Update

Purchase Date

Fund raising to purchase John Muir House, 128 High Street, Dunbar has been a slow process but at last there is good news! On 29 January ownership of John Muir's birthplace passed to the John Muir Birthplace Trust, ensuring that the building will stay as one property and in the public domain. [On 23 January "John Muir" himself - the American actor Lee Stetson, who portrays John Muir in many one man shows - was seen in Dunbar, receiving the keys to "his" house. Ed.]

Fund raising to date

This does not mean an end to the fund raising, nor that the purchase price has been gathered. To date, just under £44,000 has been raised, including the £9,000 deposit paid by East Lothian Council to secure the option to buy. Of the remaining £81,000, the Birthplace Trust are putting forward £30,000, while loans of £25,500 are being provided by East Lothian Council (ELC) and the John Muir Trust (JMT) on an "interest free basis". The Birthplace Trust's expenses have been kept to £962 since the Trust was set up in June 1998. This has been spent mainly on stationery and postage, although the largest single item of expenditure was obtaining the website on the internet. The address for those who are connected to the internet and have not yet visited the website: now http://www.djma.org.uk

The Trust has been fortunate that both JMT and ELC have generously supported fund raising efforts by providing printing and mailing services along with legal advice and services. These have probably saved the Trust around £5,000. Funding has also been provided by Lothians and Edinburgh Enterprise Limited (LEEL) and ELC, along with a substantial business donation, to enable a feasibility study to be carried out for the Birthplace Trust. This meant that the cost, approximately £10,000, did not come from donations intended for the purchase of Muir's birthplace. (The recommendations for the feasibility study will form part of the exhibition to be held in Dunbar library during February - see the front page of the newsletter for details.)

Taking all the foregoing into consideration, approximately £60,000 has been donated in the short life of the Birthplace Trust. But more is needed - firstly to clear the loans taken to secure 128 High Street and then to develop the building in a manner that will ensure that Muir and his message on conservation will be heard as loudly in the land of his birth as in the USA. DJMA members have a part to play in both fund raising and education. More donations required

A number of members have already made donations, but some have clearly been waiting to see how the appeal would develop. If you have not already donated, now is the time. A second phase of the appeal will be launched by the Birthplace Trust to coincide with the purchase of 128 High Street. Please send donations to the John Muir Birthplace Trust at 128 High Street, Dunbar EH42 1JJ.

Forms for gift aid or covenant giving are available from the same address. DJMA members can also ensure that the Appeal is known to their friends and business associates.

Raising Muir's Profile

There is also the need to ensure that John Muir is known to as large and wide a section of the population as possible. DJMA members should be ready to tell anyone who asks or is prepared to listen about John Muir - the man, teacher, sage and prophet. Only with greater public awareness will he achieve the recognition he deserves.

Will Colin, Treasurer

Town Trail

Have you done the Town Trail yet? A free guided tour is available for small groups. Contact Jim Thompson on 01368 864329. And why not buy John Muir's Dunbar and read why John Muir retained his love for his home town for the whole of his life. Obtainable from Jim Thompson, 43 Beachmont Place, Dunbar EH42 1YE, for £2.50 (incl. p. + p.) or purchase directly from either the Town Museum, John Muir House, The Tourist Office or Downie's Bookshop.

Membership Renewal

The Associations income is mainly derived from membership fees. These are now due. Please let us have your subscriptions as quickly as possible so that we can continue the good work. A renewal form is enclosed with this newsletter. A subscription form and explanatory leaflet is also enclosed, please use it to recruit a friend, neighbour or relative!