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Glasgow Green
The People's Palace
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The opening ceremony for the People's Palace, held in the vast Winter Gardens at the rear of the building on 22 Jan 1898.
In 1866 the sale of the old Bridgeton bleaching green raised £2,500.
The money was earmarked for the building of a new museum, reading room
and art gallery in the East End, but in the meantime was put on deposit
with the Clydesdale Bank to gain interest.
In 1878 the Glasgow Public Parks, Museums and Galleries Act was passed,
giving the Lord Provost and Council the authority to go ahead with the
project. Building work started in 1895 after various delays, and in
1898 the People's Palace was opened by Lord Rosebery.
He declared the building "open to the people for ever
and ever"
The total cost of construction was £32,000.
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"A palace of pleasure and imagination around which the people may
place their affections
and which may give them a home on which their
memory may rest"
Lord Rosebery at the opening ceremony 22 Jan. 1898.
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Photograph June 2002
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Anyone visiting Bridgeton must go to the Peoples Palace a wonderful
'peoples museum' excellent exhibitions and beautiful winter gardens. This
museum tells the story of the people of Glasgow from 1175 to the present
The People's Palace and Winter Gardens opened in January 1898 by the Earl of
Rosebery. He declared the building "open to the people for ever
and ever"
It was built as a cultural centre for the people of the East-end
at a time when this was one of the most unhealthy and overcrowded parts of
the city.
Originally the building was divided into reading and recreation rooms on
the ground floor, a museum on the first floor and a picture gallery on the
top floor. Since the 1940's it has been the local history museum of
Glasgow.
The collections and displays reflect the changing face of the city and the
different experiences of Glaswegians at home, work and leisure.
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Photograph June 2002 |
It is fitting that a museum rich in working class life is situated here in
Bridgeton.
Located on the edge of Glasgow Green, The People's Palace relates the story of Glasgow from 1175 to the
present day. The rise of the Tobacco Lords, who built fabulous mansions in
the City, and the plight of the poor, forced to live in their "Single
Ends", are both graphically illustrated.
Alongside the exhibitions there is a Museum shop which sells a wide range
of souvenirs of Glasgow and there is a Cafe in the Winter Gardens serving
a range of light refreshments and snacks. The Winter Gardens can also be
hired for wedding receptions.....a really splendid place to have a
reception.
In 1814 the land to the south of the River Clyde was designated Europe's
first public park.......
............yes Bridgeton's Glasgow Green!
ADDRESS
People's Palace, Glasgow Green, G40 1AT. Telephone 0141 554 0223. |
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Glasgow's City bus tour passes the People's Palace
so get aff the bus and come in for a visit!
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Generation of football enthusiasts honed their skills on "The Green"
and indeed it was the first home
of Glasgow
Rangers FC at the pitches on
Flesher's Haugh.
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