The People’s Story Museum is situated in the Canongate Tolbooth in Edinburgh. The building was constructed in 1591 as a jail, a courtroom and a council chamber. It tells the social history of the city’s residents from the 1700s until the present day. It is run by Edinburgh City Council and is free to enter. The address is 163 Canongate, EH8 8BN and the entrance is at the eastern end of the frontage at the end of the wall of the kirkyard.
Mannequins bring the history of life and, as you progress through the museum, it takes you through the decades from the squalid and overcrowded Edinburgh of past centuries up to the present day. From a typical prison cell in the early days, then scenes from the slum town, a sleeping booth for a homeless man, a World War 1 tram conductress, a 1930’s scene of afternoon tea in Fergusson’s Tea Room, two men enjoying a pint in the Empire Bar, a working class kitchen in World War 11, a fish wife of the 1950’s right up to fashion from the 1980’s – it’s all there. Also, there are exhibits of the industries such as bookbinding, printing, baking, tailoring, domestic service, distilling, brewing, coopering and shipbuilding.
I’m personally fascinated by social history so thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
