Dyffryn Mymbyr – portrait of a valley
This exhibition looks at the valley of Dyffryn Mymbyr. Dyffryn Mymbyr is the valley between Capel Curig and Snowdon. The view along the valley is very famous, and has been represented in many drawings, paintings and photographs over the last two hundred and fifty years. Except for the evocative depiction of the Dyffryn Mymbyr farm in Thomas Firbank’s 1930s classic book ‘I Bought a Mountain’, very little is generally known about the valley itself. His first wife Esme Kirby spent a large part of her life in the farm, and founded The Snowdonia National Park Society in the 1960’s. The group are now celebrating their 40th anniversary. The exhibition aims to bring to life varied aspects of the valley, including its geology, natural history, history, people, and art.
The Slate Quarries & Mines of Capel Curig
The main footpath up Moel Siabod from Capel Curig passes through a series of early slate quarries. This exhibition features these quarries, now long since forgotten about, despite closing in the early 1950’s. They provided employment for the local population for over 150 years. The group of 5 slate quarries, hidden away on the slopes of Moel Siabod are dominated by Rhos Quarry. Rhos employed up to 50 men and worked for over 100 years.
Church and Chapel in Capel Curig, a history
This exhibition looks at how man from earliest of times, in a remote a settlement as Capel Curig, turned to worship for support and guidance. Pre Jesus Christ early Celtic settlers looked to the gods for support for their crops and livelihood. Sacrifices, often human, were used to influence the gods and produce results. With the coming of the Roman legions they brought other beliefs, methods and customs. In their later years they began to accept Christianity. There is evidence of both levels of worship in Wales.
From these early times the clock moves forward one thousand years to when we have documentary evidence of Christian beliefs in Capel Curig. We know from this that for about 650 years the people have accepted Christianity in various forms as their religion; legend would put this date back about another 600 years. Through extensive research we have examine this period and present a picture of how the populace lived and supported Christianity.
