THE Great Union Camera Obscura on Douglas Head will open to the public for the first time in 15 years today (Saturday).
A £250,000 restoration of the registered building has been completed by the Department of Local Government and the Environment.
Ramsey MHK Anne Craine, DLGE member for estates and housing, will perform the opening ceremony at 10am.
The facili
ty, erected in 1896, is the only one of its kind still in existence as it has 11 lenses giving views of the surrounding headland and town.
It was previously owned by the Heaton family, closed to the public around 1990 and was bought by the DLGE to save it for the nation.
For many years it was encased in a protective shell.
Mrs Craine said: 'I am delighted that the Camera Obscura has been restored to its former glory and that it is soon to be enjoyed by the people of the Island as well as the many visitors, who, I am sure, will be keen to see it.
'Although it has taken many years to reach this stage, my department has always been fully committed to the full restoration and re-opening of the Camera Obscura and it is obviously very satisfying to have achieved this goal.
'However, we could not have done so without the support, enthusiasm and co-operation of many other parties, including professional consultants, contractors, other departments within government and members of the public.
'I am particularly pleased that the Department of Tourism and Leisure has agreed to accept ownership of the camera and to take on the future management and operation of this unique piece of our Island's heritage.'
Mrs Craine will hand over the keys to the DTL at the conclusion of the opening ceremony and it will be opened to the public at 11am.
The Victorian Society will be staffing the facility which will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from tomorrow through to September. It will open provisionally from 11am to 4pm, subject to weather conditions.
Tourism and Leisure Minister David Cretney said: 'Having actively supported the restoration of the Camera Obscura I am delighted that this project has reached fruition, and will now be open to the public.
'I would particularly like to thank the IoM Victorian Society and its members for volunteering to man this fascinating facility.'
The design team services were provided by Cameron Hall quantity surveyors, architect Ashley Pettit and Glasspool and Thaiss structural engineers. The restoration work was carried out by Cedar Development Ltd.
