Welcome to the Royal Institution web site

What does this Society represent and do now that the City and County of Swansea runs the Swansea Museum?

The RISW, fondly known as the 'RI', was founded in 1835 and opened Swansea Museum in 1841; and to-day runs a whole host of activities:

Publishes The Journal of Swansea History,
Formerly Minerva, presenting new insights into the history of Swansea.

Organises a programme of evening lectures
In 2007/08 given by Professor Ralph Griffiths on Owain Glyndwr; Dr Louise Miskell on 79* Century Swansea; Dr Michael Isaac on Woodlands of Britain; Bernard Morris on G O Delamotte and his drawings of the Swansea area in the 1820s; Rev John Walters on the poet Edward Thomas; and Richard Thomas on Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn

Holds a President's Invitation Lecture in November In 2007 given by Professor Tavi Murray on What does the Future hold for the Earth's Ice-sheets?

Presents Lunchtime Talks in Spring on local matters of concern relating to the City, and given by the Senior Officers involved

Arranges Social events at Christmas and in May, a Summer Outing and a local Book Fair, usually in November
Full details of our activities are listed on the 'Events' page.

Is the Friends Of Swansea Museum,
Giving help with activities and raising funds for the purchase of new exhibits

Supports Young People's activities, By funding an Annual Science Prize, arranging an annual Teenage Christmas Lecture and paying for a lot of the Week-end and School Holidays Workshops. The number of children involved is very gratifying - more than 2,500 children (together with many parents!) during 2007/08.