M H M'Kerrow

Matthew M'Kerrow became a member of Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society in 1900, serving as Treasurer for 25 years until he became President in 1930. When he took office the society's finances were in a precarious state, and he, along with a new President, Sir Hugh Gladstone, and a new Secretary, George Shirley, he put the finances back on a secure footing. He steered the society safely through two world wars, even continuing the publication of the Transactions. In 1932 the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Astronomical Society was in difficulty and it's museum on Corbelly Hill was for sale. Matthew brokered an arrangement with the Town Council whereby the Antiquarian Society purchased the greater part of the collections through a grant from the reserves of the Society and other sources, quite possibly including his own, and the Town Council purchased the building and grounds. The institution became what is today known as Dumfries Museum. At this point the much of the non-local collection was disposed of and the museum was organised to provide a local collection covering Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire.