History buff’s rallying cry
A local history enthusiast this week backed the Advertiser’s campaign to Save Hamilton’s Mausoleum.
Garry Mccallum, the man behind the popular Historic Hamilton page on Facebook, has been concerned for some time by the deteriorating condition of the building.
The dad-of-three says, like many Hamiltonians, he has enjoyed the mausoleum from a very young age and can remember going with his mum on a hot summer day to have a picnic on its grass parks.
He explained: “I never get tired of visiting the mausoleum and, likewise, my wife and three sons love going for a walk around its grounds.
“The mausoleum has stood on this very spot since its construction in 1858 and even when it subsided 20 foot in the 60s and 70s, the council at the time saved the monument and spent the money that was needed to save it from collapse.
“For whatever reason, due care and attention has not been given to our historic landmark and it has now been left to a small number of individuals to act and do what they can to save it.
“This should not be left to the public to raise funds.
“The palace was lost and if it were to be still standing to this day, Hamilton would be a major tourist attraction. Indeed, the demolition of Hamilton Palace has been Hamilton’s greatest loss.
“However, we still have this 118-foot-high monument on our doorstep that pays tribute to the palace and the mausoleum is a reminder of what the once-mighty Hamilton family had built in our town.
“In recent years, the three faces depicting life, death and immortality have nearly disappeared and in the next few years will be unrecognizable.
“There is a tree growing from the side of the building and inside the building it is becoming damp and mouldy.”
And Garry believes the mausoleum has huge tourism potential for Hamilton.
He added: “The mausoleum is part of the South Lanarkshire tourist route and when families decide that they are going to visit places such as Chatelherault, then most will also want to see the mausoleum.
“This in turn will bring more numbers to the museum and Palace recreation grounds, not to mention Hamilton town centre.
“I would also like to see the mausoleum keeper’s cottage restored
Hamilton Mausoleum is in urgent need of repair and we are calling on our readers to help safeguard the future of this landmark.
More than £375,000 is needed to stop water damage that is penetrating the iconic dome.
And this week we are joining forces with the Save the Hamilton Mausoleum Trust, who are campaigning for action, before the cost of repairs spiral out of control.
The trust’s Facebook page currently has more than 300 members.
However and brought back to be a functioning building. I am part of the museum focus group and recently I had an influence in the new displays at the museum.
“So let’s all rally behind the people who are trying to save the mausoleum and show our support before it’s too late and we lose this historic building, just as we lost the Hamilton Palace.”
Garry is responsible for the Historic Hamilton Facebook page that looks into the stories behind well-known buildings, famous faces and bygone traditions. The former club DJ became interested in history while researching his own family tree.
He expected to attract a few hundred like-minded followers and was astonished to see thousands flocking to his page within a few months. the group is keen to get more people on board to become active trust members.
If you would like to join the Save the Hamilton Mausoleum Trust log on to the group’s Facebook page, where you will find a membership form. Alternatively you can contact Bob at rangerbobreid@gmail.com and he will be able to send out a form.