McLean Museum
Greenock, Scotland | |
Architect | Alexander Adamson |
---|---|
Owner | Inverclyde Council |
Website | inverclyde.gov.uk |
The McLean Museum and Art Gallery (now officially the Watt Institution The Watt Institution includes the Art Gallery, Watt Hall, Watt Library and Inverclyde Archives.
History
The museum owes its origins to the Greenock Philosophical Society's burgeoning collection of artificial and natural curiosities which became a museum in 1816 as branch of the Society, housed in the Greenock library. When the Greenock Library changed location to the
Collections
There is a range of collections and exhibitions in the museum. Until 1914 the McLean Museum received continuing donation from the
Some items from the collection can be viewed online.[4]
Visiting the museum
In 2016, Inverclyde Council closed the McLean Museum and Watt Library complex in order to undertake a £2 million refurbishment. The Council invested £1.8 million towards the refurbishment work alongside a £287,000 grant from Historic Environment Scotland.[9][10] As part of the refurbishment, the gallery, museum, lecture hall and library were rebranded collectively as the Watt Institution, with access to and from the library now possible via the museum entrance on Kelly Street.
The complex re-opened to visitors on 22 November 2019.[11]
The complex opens on Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm (having previously also been open on Mondays and Tuesdays). Admission is free.[12] There is a lack of significant designated parking area, although parking on the surrounding streets should be possible. The museum is a short walk away from Greenock West railway station and also nearby to Greenock town centre. Free tours from the museum's curatorial staff are available, however, pre-booking is required.[13] There is also a shop which stocks a variety of items including books, cards, toys, museum standard replicas, decorative and craft items.[14] Free internet access is also available.
See also
- Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
- List of Category A listed buildings in Inverclyde
- List of listed buildings in Greenock
References
- ^ "Watt Institution". Inverclyde Council.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council • McLean Museum and Art Gallery". Inverclyde.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "McLean Museum and Art Gallery". Museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ a b "PICTURE GALLERY: Take a look at McLean Museum's collection". Greenock Telegraph. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council • Gallery: Museum History". Inverclyde.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "McLean Museum & Art Gallery - About the Museum". Digitalrecollections.co.uk. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "James McLean Memorial". Geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ "McLean Museum at Art UK". Art Uk. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council | Museum to Close for £2 million Refurbishment". www.inverclyde.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ "Greenock museum to shut for £2m revamp". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ "McLean Museum will be closed two days a week to save cash - after £2m refurbishment". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council • Opening Times". Inverclyde.gov.uk. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council • Services". Inverclyde.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "Inverclyde Council • Shop". Inverclyde.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
External links
- McLean Museum on the Inverclyde Council Website