In 1973, Dame Margaret Kate Weston (1926-2021), announced that the historic city of York would become home to the National Railway Museum.

The museum duly opened just two years later in 1975, allowing visitors to explore iconic locomotives and the past, present and future of the railways.

As the first woman to be appointed to lead a national museum, Dame Margaret laid the foundations for the Science Museum Group, overseeing a significant expansion from its origins in the Science Museum in London.

In her 13 years as director, she demonstrated an understanding far ahead of many of her contemporaries of the importance of spreading cultural opportunities beyond London.

Sources:

Obituary by Ian Blatchford, Museums Association

National Railway Museum