Paisley Museum and Art Galleries facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1871 |
|---|---|
| Location | High Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA1 2BA |
The Paisley Museum and Art Galleries is an exciting place in Paisley, Scotland. It is currently closed for a big makeover and is set to reopen in 2026. When it reopens, it will be known simply as the Paisley Museum. This museum is located in the town of Paisley and is managed by the Renfrewshire Council. Before its current closure, it was home to one of the largest public art collections in Scotland, featuring more than 800 paintings.
Contents
The Museum's History
The Paisley Museum and Art Galleries were given to the town of Paisley by a generous businessman named Sir Peter Coats in 1871. The building itself was designed by a famous architect from Glasgow, John Honeyman. This building is also home to the Paisley Library and the Coats Observatory.
The very first person in charge of the Museum was an expert in insects, Morris Young. He worked there until he passed away in 1897. He cared so much for the museum that he left money to help look after the insect collections and all his books. The museum has grown quite a bit since it first opened, with several additions over the years. There are exciting plans to make the museum even better, turning it into a top-notch place that celebrates Paisley's rich history.
Amazing Collections to Explore
The Paisley Museum is packed with incredible collections that tell many stories.
Art Collection
For many years, the museum has shown a large collection of art, including pieces from the Paisley Art Institute. This collection mainly focuses on works by Scottish artists from the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can see art from groups like the Glasgow School and the Scottish Colourists. The museum also has modern art by artists such as Steven Campbell and John Byrne, who was born in Paisley.
Local History and Textiles
The museum holds many objects and documents that show the history of Paisley and the surrounding area, Renfrewshire. A big part of this story is about the textile industry, especially the famous Paisley shawl. These luxury shawls were a huge part of the town's history. The museum even has a recreated weaving area where you can see how traditional hand looms were used to make these beautiful textiles.
Ancient Worlds and Nature
Beyond local history, the museum also has an interesting archaeological collection. This includes ancient objects from places like Ancient Egypt and Babylon. There is also a large natural history collection, which helps record local wildlife and plants.
The Arbuthnott Missal
One of the most special items in the museum's collection is the Arbuthnott Missal. This important book was given to the museum by another member of the Coats family, Archibald. This missal is the only complete pre-Reformation missal (a type of prayer book) from Scotland that still exists today. In 2007, it won a major award in the British Library's Hidden Treasures Brought to Life competition, showing just how important it is.
The museum is currently closed to the public while it undergoes its exciting transformation.
See also
