Fife Council Fife Council Libraries, Arts, Museums & ArchivesLibraries, Arts, Museums & Archives

Kirkcaldy Museum & Library refurbishment Kirkcaldy Museum & Library refurbishment

Balsusney House, c1850Balsusney House, c1850

New Kirkcaldy Museum Local History DisplayNew Kirkcaldy Museum Local History Display

Moments in TimeMoments in TimeOpen in spring 2013Open in spring 2013

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1776 – Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”1776 – Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1776 – Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”1776 – Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”

Adam Smith’s snuff box. Ivory and mother of pearl with his Adam Smith’s snuff box. Ivory and mother of pearl with his initials on top. Recently conserved with assistance of the initials on top. Recently conserved with assistance of the Friends of Kirkcaldy Museums & Art Gallery.Friends of Kirkcaldy Museums & Art Gallery.

Moment in TimeMoment in Time300 million BC – coal bed formed in Fife300 million BC – coal bed formed in Fife

Last lump of coal mined at Frances CollieryLast lump of coal mined at Frances Colliery

Frances CollieryFrances Colliery““The Dubbie”The Dubbie”Started around 1850 Started around 1850 Peak workforce of 1,482Peak workforce of 1,482Undersea, linked to Seafield in 1981Undersea, linked to Seafield in 1981Closed in 1988, now only headframe remains…Closed in 1988, now only headframe remains…

70 years ago…70 years ago…

……and 30 years agoand 30 years ago

Seafield CollierySeafield Colliery

Undersea “superpit”Undersea “superpit”

Started production in 1966Started production in 1966

Peak workforce of 2,466Peak workforce of 2,466

Disaster in 1873 when 5 men killedDisaster in 1873 when 5 men killed

Demolition in 1988 Demolition in 1988

Moment In TimeMoment In Time1984/85 – miners’ strike1984/85 – miners’ strike

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1855 – Thomas Williamson carves table, chairs and mirror out of 1855 – Thomas Williamson carves table, chairs and mirror out of coalcoal

Made for Wemyss castle out of “parrot coal”.Made for Wemyss castle out of “parrot coal”.

Example of Victorian craftsmanship and invention.Example of Victorian craftsmanship and invention.

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1855 – Thomas Williamson carves table, chairs and mirror out of 1855 – Thomas Williamson carves table, chairs and mirror out of coalcoal

Penny farthing – another Victorian designPenny farthing – another Victorian design

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate 1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate Wemyss Ware potteryWemyss Ware pottery

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate 1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate Wemyss Ware potteryWemyss Ware pottery

Wemyss plate of Dysart hand painted by NekolaWemyss plate of Dysart hand painted by Nekola

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate 1883 – Karel Nekola comes from Bohemia to Kirkcaldy to decorate Wemyss Ware potteryWemyss Ware pottery

Pottery workersPottery workers

Moment in TimeMoment in Time2,000 BC – burial at Oriel Road, Kirkcaldy2,000 BC – burial at Oriel Road, Kirkcaldy

Bronze Age pot and dagger found in 1931Bronze Age pot and dagger found in 1931

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1963 – Beatles play in Kirkcaldy1963 – Beatles play in Kirkcaldy

Beatlemania in Carlton Cinema on 6 October 1963Beatlemania in Carlton Cinema on 6 October 1963

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1826 – last fatal duel in Scotland1826 – last fatal duel in Scotland

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1931 – Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson killed tragically in Old 1931 – Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson killed tragically in Old Firm matchFirm match

John Thomson’s Scotland jumper, cap and medalsJohn Thomson’s Scotland jumper, cap and medals

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1304 – Edward I grants rights to a yearly fair (Links Market)1304 – Edward I grants rights to a yearly fair (Links Market)

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built

Floorcloth – forerunner of linoleumFloorcloth – forerunner of linoleum

Floorcloth banner Nairn’s first factory in 1860sFloorcloth banner Nairn’s first factory in 1860s

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built

Floorcloth banners on paradeFloorcloth banners on parade

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built1847 – Nairn’s Folly, Scotland’s first floorcloth factory built

Cork model of Portuguese cork plantationCork model of Portuguese cork plantation

Made by a Barry’s employeeMade by a Barry’s employee

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1644 – Kirkcaldy becomes Royal Burgh1644 – Kirkcaldy becomes Royal Burgh

1919thth century Kirkcaldy Provost chain century Kirkcaldy Provost chain

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1994 – Raith Rovers win League Cup1994 – Raith Rovers win League Cup

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1835 – whaler Viewforth trapped by ice in Davis Straits1835 – whaler Viewforth trapped by ice in Davis Straits

Other Kirkcaldy whaling ships, eg. Chieftain (left) and Lord Other Kirkcaldy whaling ships, eg. Chieftain (left) and Lord Gambier (right) - both were wrecked in 1862Gambier (right) - both were wrecked in 1862

Moment in TimeMoment in Time1918 – Ian Couper Nairn killed near end of First World War1918 – Ian Couper Nairn killed near end of First World War

Moment in TimeMoment in Timec1460 – Ravenscraig Castle builtc1460 – Ravenscraig Castle built

Moment in TimeMoment in Timec1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbourc1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbour

House renovated in 1990s. Important example of early House renovated in 1990s. Important example of early

modern merchant’s house. Built by David Law, merchant.modern merchant’s house. Built by David Law, merchant.

Display will look at trade in 16Display will look at trade in 16thth/17/17thth centuries. centuries.

Moment in TimeMoment in Timec1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbourc1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbour

Painted image of ship was uncovered onPainted image of ship was uncovered on

upstairs wall. upstairs wall. 1670s naval chart of Finland also found.1670s naval chart of Finland also found.

Moment in TimeMoment in Timec1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbourc1590 Law’s Close/Merchant’s House built at harbour

Prime Gilt BoxPrime Gilt Box

The People’s Pick – choose your favourite paintingThe People’s Pick – choose your favourite painting

Choose your favouriteChoose your favourite