How weavers create a museum for the people

Paisley Museum’s untold origin story began, long before it opened its doors in 1871. This story starts with the remarkable people of Paisley and the town’s weavers. Paisley’s pioneering spirit and worldly curiosity was the real driving force behind the museum’s creation. It all started in 1808 with the formation of the Paisley Philosophical Institution (PPI)…

1800

By 1800 Paisley’s inventive community had transformed their small market town into a wealthy industrial centre of textile production. This textile industry was run by well-paid, highly skilled handloom weavers. As independent workers, the weavers enjoyed rare freedoms, including one day off a week. With time and money, a plenty, the weavers embarked on a quest for knowledge embracing the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment.

The Scottish Enlightenment was a cultural movement of radical new ideas, which transformed Scotland into a hub of philosophical debate, scientific advancement and artistic innovation. With self-improvement at its core, a whole host of clubs and societies dedicated to learning, sprang up across Scotland. Paisley and its weavers were at the forefront of this trend.

By the early 1800’s Paisley had become a hot bed of literary exchange and debate, with a wide range clubs and societies. The weavers founded and attended many of these clubs. Indeed, Patrick McLerie – a handloom weaver who started the Burns Club alongside Robert Tannahill in 1805 – was even scalded by his wife for attending too many.

1808

The people of Paisley had a thirst for Knowledge which led to the establishment of the PPI. On the 13^th of October 1808, a group of bold Paisley Buddies met at No.7 Old Sneddon Street and founded the PPI to promote: philosophy, science, astronomy, literature, nature and art. Reverend William Ferrier led this energetic group, which originally included the likes of, Alexander Carlile, Paisley’s radical provost, Malcolm Lang a Paisley dyer and Thomas Auld, a local bookseller. On that day, these bold Buddies promised to hold weekly lectures dedicated to the study of science and the natural world.

The PPI kept their promise, delivering an intriguing programme of lectures on a variety of colourful topics, including; volcanoes, anatomy, electricity and astronomy. The PPI also conducted scientific experiments, to the delight of their members. Crucially, they became passionate collectors, amassing a range of intriguing objects, artefacts, and curiosities from all over the world!

1857

By 1857, the PPI entered a golden age. Now based at the Government School of Art and Design, the PPI’s exhibitions and lectures were extremely well attended and its collections continued to grow. During the New Year Holidays of 1857, a collection of art and natural history was exhibited at the Grammar School. This collection belonged to Daniel Richmond, a local doctor and honorary secretary of the PPI. As a festive gift, Dr Richmond kindly donated his whole collection to the PPI.

1868

Construction began in 1868, after the renowned Glaswegian architect John Honeyman was appointed. This photograph shows the people of Paisley celebrating the foundation stone being laid.

1871

In 1871, the doors of the museum finally opened and the people Paisley marvelled at the PPI’s enchanting collection in a museum that was built by the town.