Museum turns 50 years young
Low Parks visitor attraction celebrates
Hamilton’s oldest building celebrates a milestone anniversary on Friday.
Although the building itself is more than 321 years old, Friday, November 3, marks the 50th anniversary of its latest incarnation as Low Parks Museum.
Rated as a five-star visitor attraction by Visitscotland, the Hamilton museum is packed with a fascinating range of permanent and temporary exhibitions that trace local history.
This includes the Hamilton Palace, early settlement, working life and also the history of the local regiment, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
The museum actually comprises two historic buildings which themselves have significant historic importance – Portland was built in 1696 and is the oldest building in Hamilton, and the former Hamilton Palace Riding School.
Staff and volunteers at Low Parks Museum are inviting local people – and those from further afield – to drop in on Friday to help them celebrate the 50th anniversary, and have managed to secure a supply of Tunnock’s Snowballs as a treat for the first 50 people through the door.
Councillor David Watson, chair of South Lanarkshire Leisure, said: “As a five-star visitor attraction, Low Parks Museum is a great asset for us to have in Hamilton and tells the story of South Lanarkshire in an engaging and fascinating way, so this first half-century is well worth celebrating.
“Visitors who join in the birthday celebrations will see that, while the museum looks to the past, the staff always have an eye on the future and are currently developing exciting new exhibitions and gallery space, to ensure the 50th anniversary year will bring plenty of new reasons to visit.”
Gerry Campbell, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture general manager, added: “We are very proud of Low Parks Museum and the hard work that goes into keeping it fresh and interesting.
“It is, of course, more than a museum these days, and offers a growing programme of music performances, including the forthcoming sell-out show by James Grant and the Hallelujah String Quartet, and is also proving popular as a wedding venue.”
The South Lanarkshire Choir and Hamilton Harmonics will be performing two sell-out shows in Hamilton Mausoleum as part of the birthday celebrations.
Museum officer Linda Barrett said: “There has been growing interest from the arts community in the unique acoustics of the Mausoleum in recent years, and although I can’t say too much now, I can promise an exciting Low Parks 50th anniversary announcement.”