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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
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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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