The Story of Mann

The Story of Mann is the main public presentation of the work of Manx National Heritage.

It is a unique portrayal by Manx National Heritage of cultural and heritage assets across 227 square miles (588 square kilometres) of historic and scenic landscape.

The Story of Mann concept preserves, presents and promotes a combination of historic properties, ancient monuments, natural landscapes and formal museums, by emphasising the inter-linked nature of these assets in the historic story of the Island’s development.

The Story begins at The Island’s Treasure-House (‘Thie Tashtee Vannin’ in Manx), otherwise known as The Manx Museum headquarters of Manx National Heritage in the Island’s capital, Douglas. Here, award-winning museum displays and the latest video technology introduce 10,000 years of Manx history. This initial show-case of Manx history is your invitation to explore the rest of the Island’s rich heritage.

We aim to present the historic story of the Island in a visually stimulating and memorable way, to the highest professional standards, in a way which stimulates and encourages visits to major heritage sites throughout the Island, providing a heightened understanding and appreciation of the Manx inheritance.

The portrayal of the Story of this historic landscape has required the development of three important areas of professional control:

• a high level of professional management which has promoted a culture of trust based upon the keeping of promises to various private and public sectors of the community which are persuaded to participate in the overall plan.
• a high level of academic study, including the formal creation of a Centre for Manx Studies in partnership with the Island’s Department of Education and Liverpool University. For the first time in history, Manx students can now study their own national history at University graduate and post-graduate level.
• a carefully developed marketing strategy which complies with the long-term preservation requirements of the heritage assets and also appeals, on a continuing basis, to all sectors of the community.