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This event, however, is very different as it takes place thousands of miles from north Wales, at Slate Valley Museum, Granvile, Upstate New York. The museum is being twinned with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and more specifically with the National Slate Museum itself.

Preparing for the event, Dr Roberts said:

“We already have an excellent relationship with the slate museum in the New York area, and it therefore made sense for us to formalise the relationship. This event is only part of the work we've been doing over the past few months; we've also been gathering the memories of those who left Wales to look for a better life across the ocean, and the families who stayed at home in the north Wales area.”

Michael Houlihan added:

“Projects like the twinning of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and the Slate Valley Museum are an important part of our work as a national museum. By working with a similar museum in another part of the world, we are able to share and compare experiences and bring people and their memories together in a museum environment. Museums are places to remember, places to discover and places to imagine. This project and the memories gathered is an excellent way to achieve this.”

Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, Alun Pugh, has been folloing the appeal and the twinning process with interest, and he said:

“I'm pleased to see Welsh organizations building relationships with organizations in other parts of the world. This helps to raise the profile of Wales and its history and culture all around the world. Links such as this one are also an opportunity to showcase the close relationship between Wales and this area of the United States.”

Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are: National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales celebrates its centenary in 2007. For more details go to our .

Entry to all the museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Notes to Editors

For more information contact Julie Williams, Promotions Officer, National Slate Museum on (01286) 873 707.