A Collector’s Story: Tom Hartley

“Sometimes the very simple things can tell you very profound things.”

Our 'A Collector's Story: Tom Hartley' exhibition showcases the contribution made to our collection by Tom Hartley, the celebrated local historian and former Lord Mayor of Belfast. In the past few decades, Tom has amassed a collection of items, varying from a bin lid featuring a portrait of Ché Guevara, to a 'hi vis' vest used in a Belfast City Hall flag protest. 'A Collector's Story: Tom Hartley' includes objects related to his civic life in politics, and ephemera from community groups in West Belfast and beyond. Many of his donated collection items can also be seen in our 'Troubles & Beyond' gallery. 

Since the beginning of the Collecting the Troubles and Beyond project in 2016, Tom has made a sustained and significant contribution to our collection. His is one of a number of large collections we have acquired recently, as part of the development of our contemporary collection.

This is a free exhibition taking place in the Belfast Room, with no booking needed. 

Please note - our museums are a shared space, and at times, private events take place in the Ulster Museum's Belfast Room, which means any exhibitions on display in this space will not be accessible to the public during this time. If you are travelling specifically to view an exhibition in the Belfast Room, currently showing 'A Collector's Story: Tom Hartley', we advise contacting the museum in advance on 02890440000 or emailing to check the exhibition is accessible.