The Orange Order, the oldest Protestant organisation in Northern Ireland, plans to open two museums. The £4m project comprises interpretive centres at its headquarters, Schomberg House in Belfast, and at Sloan’s House in Loughgall, County Armagh .
“It will be an unequalled collection of historical material relating to Orangeism,” said director of services David Hume.
A replica model of a sculpture of King William, sited at Clifton Street Orange Hall in Belfast, has been proposed as a centrepiece for the Schomberg House venue. An early 20th-century Orange Hall is also set to be re-created inside the building.Meanwhile, at Sloan’s House, organisers plan to display tableaux that depict the signing of the first Orange lodge warrants in 1795.
“The Cavan County and Monaghan County museums, and the Millmount Museum in Drogheda, have signed up to be partners with the Loughall Centre, while the Somme Centre and White House at Whiteabbey are partners with the Schomberg House project,” said an Orange Order spokesman.More than 100 Orange lodges have pledged to donate historical material. Project representatives have applied for EU funding.