The Urban Historian

31/01/2025

Friday image of the week.. A Mauchinware box with an image of Paisley Abbey . The image was taken after the first restoration with the North Aisle Gable restored to full height. The box originally a glass for s dram....

Paisley is Paisley Museum

26/01/2025

See the history around you!

Paisley High Street during the 1880's. This image shows Thomas Graham's shop at No 21 (where No 31 is today), High Street with Thomas standing at the front door and presumably a staff member behind him. Thomas was an Outfitter and his window display of hats and stiff collars can be clearly seen in the image.

Image was taken by Matthew Morrison, an amateur photographer and a plumber in Paisley. In 1877 he was giving a lecture to Paisley Philosophical Institution on "The telephone, with illustrations" i do wonder what he would make of our mobile phones today, capable of capturing images as well!

22/01/2025

21/01/2025

If you go down Storie Street... you might find a takeover of Allan's Traditional Fish and Chip Restaurant and Takeaway window dispaying some memorabilia relating to the original John Neilson Institution along with a few other Paisley related items. The window will be redispayed again in early March....

20/01/2025

With the demise of the Facade of the second Territorial Drill Hall on Paisley High Street in the last few weeks, this may be a good time to remember the original Drill Hall that sat on the site before 1896.

With the demise of the Facade of the second Territorial Drill Hall on Paisley High Street in the last few weeks, this may be a good time to remember the original Drill Hall that sat on the site before 1896. I'm not sure when first Drill Hall was constructed, but by 1896 it is described

20/01/2025

Join us on the 15th February 2025 at 10am in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre for our first in-person history Cafe of 2025.

There are only 6 places available for this event.

Get a drink from Blend, and then let us talk Paisley & Renfrewshire Heritage! There is no set topic, so come prepared to talk and learn about anything connected to the Old County of Renfrew.

This event is FREE but we like to support our hosts by purchasing from them.

https://discoverrenfrewshireheritage.com/history-cafe-booking-form-15th-feb-2025-10am/

20/01/2025

Join us on the 15th February 2025 at 10am in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre for our first in-person history Cafe of 2025.

There are only 6 places available for this event.

Get a drink from Blend, and then let us talk Paisley & Renfrewshire Heritage! There is no set topic, so come prepared to talk and learn about anything connected to the Old County of Renfrew.

This event is FREE but we like to support our hosts by purchasing from them.

Book at: https://discoverrenfrewshireheritage.com/history-cafe-booking-form-15th-feb-2025-10am/

16/01/2025

Join us on Sat 1 Feb at 10am for a free Family History Cafe BLEND Coffee Lounge, Paisley Booking is essential. Visit www.renfrewshireancestors.uk to book.

14/01/2025

I've been rather quet since before Christmas as i picked up Norovirus. With my weakened immune system, it's still hanging about, but im gradually getting back into the occasional bits of research and adding the odd postcard to my collection. I hope to hold some history cafes shortly.

11/01/2025

Good news abounds - lovely double page spread in today's Paisley Daily Express about our wonderful new permanent home - a new Art Gallery for Paisley and The Art Department, Paisley Ltd

05/01/2025

01/01/2025

Wishing everyone, clients and followers a very Happy New Year. The last few weeks haven't been great here with another virus holding my recovery back once again.

Plans are in place for 2025 for a gradual return to work with history cafes and talks followed later in the year with our heritage walks in Paisley and Renfrewshire. There are other things going on in the background that will be announced when ready.

Until then I thank you all for your support over the last 21 months and look forward to 2025.

Stephen

25/12/2024

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

17/12/2024

Another visit to Renfrewshire Heritage Centre today to view Mary Ann Semples second volume on Paisley Monumental Inscriptions. This time relating to Paisley Abbey. I love this entry for the Inglis family dating to 1502, 1533 and 1559. Its form is very typical for the Abbey in this time period.

13/12/2024

Over the last few weeks, Paisley has been talking about the disappearance of the Bargarran witch hunt commemorative horseshoe, part of the Todo designed by the Kings Sculptor and Buddie, Alexander Stoddart. In the past the Bargarran witches have been blamed for dark times in Paisley when the horsesh...