Perth Art Gallery facts for kids
The Latin cives grati means grateful citizens in English
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| Established | 1824 |
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| Location | 78 George Street Perth, Scotland |
| Architect | David Morison |
The Perth Art Gallery is a main art gallery and exhibition spot in Perth, Scotland. It's partly inside the Marshall Monument. This monument is named after Thomas Hay Marshall, who used to be a leader (called a provost) in Perth.
The building used to be called the Perth Museum and Art Gallery. It changed its name because a new Perth Museum is opening in Perth City Hall.
Contents
A Look Back: Gallery History
The place where the gallery stands today was once home to a motte and bailey castle. This castle was built in 1160. It helped protect the crossing over the River Tay.
In 1209, a huge flood washed the castle away. The King, William I, was staying there at the time. He had to escape by boat with his wife and helpers to Scone.
The Marshall Monument was designed by David Morison. It was sculpted by John Cochrane and Brothers.
Building started in 1822. The Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth opened it in 1824. It was first used as a library and museum. It is one of the oldest museums in the United Kingdom built just for this purpose. In 1915, the Society gave it to the city. They said it must always be used as a library or museum.
Expanding the Building
The museum received many gifts of money and paintings. Because of this, plans were made to make the building bigger. In 1930, a contest was held to pick an architect. Sir James John Burnett, a Scottish architect, was the judge.
A Perth company, Smart, Stewart & Mitchell, won the contest. The expansion began when the foundation stone was laid. This happened on December 2, 1932. Lord Provost Thomas Dempster laid the stone.
Work continued from 1933 to 1935. The new part of the building opened on August 10, 1935. The Duke and Duchess of York opened it. They later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. This new section held the donated paintings. It also housed the Natural History collections. These collections belonged to the Perthshire Society of Natural Science. They used to be at their museum on 62–72 Tay Street.
In May 1965, the building was named a category B listed building. This means it is a special building that needs to be protected.
What You Can See: The Museum's Collection
The museum has many interesting items in its collection. One special item is a piece of the Strathmore meteorite. This is a rock that fell from space!
Another unique item is the mummy of a woman named Ta-kr-hb.
See also
- List of listed buildings in Perth, Scotland
In Spanish: Museo y Galería de Arte de Perth para niños
