Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery - Memories of The Smith 1956-1968 - An Account By Ruth M Millican

An Account By Ruth M Millican

I lived opposite the Smith (or the Smith Institute as it was then known) from 1956 until 1968. My father was the Baptist minister and until 1968 the manse was at 23 Albert Place. During these years, we did visit the museum often, but my more vivid memories are of the grounds and the house attached to the museum.

As children, the grounds of the museum were our playground. The long grass and the leafy trees were places of adventure, especially during the summer holidays. We ran around playing imaginative games, climbing trees and playing football until we were called in to go to bed. At other times of the year we enjoyed bonfires and fireworks in the grounds.

Often we played with the grandson of the caretakers, Bob and Bessie McLeish. They lived in the house attached to the museum and I remember going from the house, through a large door, into the museum office which was full of papers. The curator came from Glasgow every day by bus, getting off the bus just outside the museum.

Bob McLeish had served in the Royal Artillery in the First World War. After retiring from the REME workshops, he felt he needed some occupation, so became caretaker of the Smith. When he arrived, the grounds had become neglected so he spent a great deal of time restoring them. He kept the garden beautifully and was able to provide year-round flowers and greenery for the Baptist Church where he and Bessie were members. Many residents of the surrounding area admired his garden and thanked him for keeping it so beautifully. When not gardening, he was often seen riding a large, elderly bicycle at speed down Albert Place. The brakes on the bicycle were somewhat inadequate, so he had to jump off when he wanted to stop!

During the years we lived in Albert Place, the museum appeared to be rather neglected. The galleries seemed quite bare, but my brother and I have memories of a butterfly collection in the first room on the left. In a room on the right there were stuffed animals: particularly memorable were a wild cat and a bird of prey. At the back of the building, there was a very large room which had an enormous painting on the back wall as well as some portraits on the other walls. Occasionally there were special exhibitions; certainly there was a local art exhibition from time to time and one of our neighbours used to regularly contribute paintings to these exhibitions. Very rarely, there would be a concert to attend.

The Smith Institute and its grounds were an important part of my childhood. I am delighted that the Smith has been kept open and is now flourishing.