Civic Life
The Social History collection contains a wide range of material relating to the development of Inverclyde's civic and political history.
The collection covers items related to the governing of Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow and the surrounding villages such as Wemyss Bay, Inverkip and Kilmacolm. It charts the development of Inverclyde and includes projects and events such as the various Improvement Schemes. The collection reflects local civic and municipal responsibility for the provision of a wide range of public services such as policing, fire brigade, trading standards, transport, water supply and sewerage, housing, public health and public utilities.
The relatively early development and industrialisation of Inverclyde meant that the burghs of Greenock and Port Glasgow were amongst the first towns in Scotland to create and develop the ideas and practice of municipal governance in the industrial era.
The text and images on this page are the copyright of the McLean Museum and Art Gallery. For enquiries about this collection please contact us at wattinstitution@inverclyde.gov.uk.
Ceremonial level and plummet
Ceremonial level and plummet in purple satin and velvet lined box, used in the laying of the foundation stone of the Municipal Buildings, Greenock on 6 August 1881. - 1991.49 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Ceremonial Silver Trowel
The trowel plate is inscribed 'This trowel presented to Provost Campbell by the Magistrates and Town Council of Greenock on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the municipal buildings 6th August 1881' - 1991.51 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Ceremonial Mallet
Ceremonial carved wooden mallet inlaid with silver bosses in a tower design. Used in the laying of the foundation stone of the Municipal Buildings, Greenock on 6 August 1881. - 1991.50 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Ceremonial Silver Key
Ceremonial silver key inscribed 'Presented to Miss Rankin by the Corporation of Greenock on the occasion of the opening of the Rankin Memorial Hospitals 17th August, 1938' - 1996.5 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Invitation to a Grand Fancy Dress Ball
Invitation to a Grand Fancy Dress Ball from The Provost and Mrs. Denholm to Miss Bessie Donald to take part in a children's Grand Fancy Dress Ball in the Municipal Buildings, Greenock on Thursday 28th Dec., 1905. Reception from 6.15 to 7pm in the Town Hall. - 2006.32 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Burgh of Gourock Corporation Chain for a Senior Bailie
Burgh of Gourock Corporation Chain for a Senior Bailie - 1976.80.13 ©McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Burgh of Greenock Stamps
Three rubber stamps used by the Burgh of Greenock (1635-1975), one bearing the of Greenock Coat of Arms and the other two used in balloting procedures. - 1990.87.1-.3 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Town Drum of Greenock
The town drum was used at the head of processsions (for example the opening of the new slaughterhouse) and to 'drum out of town' malefactors of various sorts, as in the case of John Smith, a vagrant, who was put on display with a sign 'Here I stand for stealing candles' and then drummed out of town - 1980.3 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Commemorative Medal for Coronation
Commemorative medal issued for the coronation of King Edward VII on the 9 August 1902. Issued to local schools by Greenock Burgh - 1980.11 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Greenock Burgh Police Rates of Pay
Card showing the pay rates for the Greenock Burgh Police, dated 1902 and inscribed 'Constable No.97'. - 1985.16 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Official Beggar's Badge for Greenock
An official Burgh of Greenock Beggar's Badge, dated 1797-1803, issued to official beggar no.50. The badge is decorated with an image of an oak tree and inscribed 'Town of Greenock 50'. - 1977.284 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
New Town Hall, Port Glasgow
This watercolour work was probably produced for the architect's firm of Bourcher & Cousland, and shows an artist's impression of the new Port Glasgow Town Hall (opened in 1872) by an unknown artist. - 2012.49.2 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Invitation to a Garden Party
Invitation to a Garden Party by Mr & Mrs William Bentley McMillan, the party to be held at Cappielow Park, Greenock on Saturday, 23rd June, 1906 2.30 to 6 p.m. - 2006.35 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
Welcome Home Card 1945
Welcome Home card issued by the Burgh of Greenock to returning forces in 1945. - 2006.261 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock
