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M U S E U M S | BU R N S H O US E & D E AN CAST L E H E R ITAG E | BU R N S MO N U M E N T CE N T R E Dean Castle's £5.2M restoration and modernisation project to allow essential stonework restoration alongside internal modernisation and redisplay will begin in January 2018. Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, lived in Mauchline in what was arguably his most creative and productive period. It was at his farm, Mossgiel, close to the town, that he composed many of his best-loved poems.  Whilst making his new farm ready, Burns and his wife Jean Armour lodged in a room in what is now Burns House Museum. Using original manuscripts, objects and other publications we interpret Burns’ time in the town and his relations with many of its characters. You can see some of the plans for the redevelopments on display in the Banqueting Hall, and you can have your say on what you might like to see and do in the Castle in the future. You can also find out how to get involved in the project – from volunteering and internship opportunities, to museum collections workshops and talks, and specialist visits for you and your groups. From January 2018 much of the Castle’s collections will be on display at the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock. CLOSED FRI 15 & SAT 16 SEP Access is limited to some areas of the museum. 22 We are running a series of workshops to guide you in using the collections to research your local and family history. Introduction To Local & Family History Research THU 28 SEP · 2PM-3PM · FREE Tracing Your Military Ancestors THU 26 OCT · 2PM-3PM · FREE NOTE: Due to the necessary preparations for the refurbishment works we regret there could be some disruption, at short notice, to opening times and to access to certain areas. The Keep remains closed. Please visit: eastayrshireleisure.com before you make your journey for the most up-to-date information. Mauchline Community Library is now also housed within Burns House Museum. BURNS HOUSE MUSEUM & LIBRARY CASTLE STREET, MAUCHLINE, KA5 5BZ T: 01290 550045 TUE: 10.30am-1.40pm, 2pm-6pm WED: 10.30am-1.40pm, 2pm-6pm THU: 1.30pm-4.40pm, 5pm-8pm FRI & SAT: 10.30am-4pm Heritage Workshops DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK DEAN RD, KILMARNOCK KA3 1XB T: 01563 554736 PARK AND GROUNDS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND. CASTLE AND VISITOR CENTRE OPEN: APR - SEPT: 11AM - 5PM (DAILY) OCT - MAR 10AM-4PM (WED - SUN) Access is limited to areas of the Castle. eastayrshireleisure.com Introduction To Local & Family History Research The Burns Monument Centre is a shared venue between East Ayrshire Leisure, East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Archives. The local and family h