Pier House Museum facts for kids
The Pier House Museum is a fascinating place located in Symbister, a small village on the island of Whalsay. This island is part of the beautiful Shetland Islands in Scotland. The museum is set inside an old building called the Pier House. This building was once a very busy spot for trading.
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Discover the Pier House Museum
The Pier House Museum helps us understand what life was like long ago. It shows how people traded goods and how important fishing was to the island. The museum is in a building that has a long history.
A Glimpse into History
For many years, the Pier House was a central hub for trade. People from Germany would come here to exchange goods. They brought things like iron tools, seeds, salt, and cloth. In return, they would take dried and salted fish from the islanders. This trade was very important for the economy of Shetland.
The Hanseatic League Connection
The Germans who traded here were often part of a group called the Hanseatic League. This was a powerful alliance of trading groups. It was active from the 13th to the 17th centuries. The Hanseatic League had a strong hold on trade across much of Northern Europe. The Pier House was used by these German traders for several centuries. Their trading activities stopped around 1707.
The Building Itself
The old Hanseatic house was carefully restored to become the museum we see today. It holds many old items that date back to the early trading days. These items give us a great look into the past economy of Shetland. The building has a special look. It has two floors and unique "crowstepped gables" on its roof. There is also an outside stone staircase. Because of its historical importance, the house and the nearby port are officially recognized. They are listed as a "category B Listed Building."
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