Riverside Museum celebrates 10 incredible years since opening

Ten years ago Riverside Museum opened in Glasgow to much critical and public acclaim.

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 22 June 2021 11:58

Since it opened to the public the popular and much-loved museum has gone from strength-to-strength.

Having welcomed 650,000 people through its doors in the first year, annual visitor figures have continued to climb steadily and, pre-Covid, more than 1.3m people enjoyed the museum’s exceptional variety of displays, events, activities and festivals; making it one of Scotland’s, and the UK’s, most popular visitor attractions.

Over the past decade, Riverside has become a real success story for Glasgow and a worthy winner of the European Museum of the Year title in 2013.

Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Riverside opened 10 years ago to much critical and public acclaim. In the first year it welcomed an astounding 650,000 visitors. More and more have come every year, and pre-Covid more than 1.3 million people came to Riverside. It has been a huge success story for the city, even winning European Museum of the Year in 2013.

Our museums are the most popular attractions in our city, they entertain, engage and educate. The city’s collection, which belongs to its people, is an important part of who Glaswegians are as individuals, and a key part of their identity. Visitors to Riverside delight in discovering what made Glasgow the industrial powerhouse of the past and the creative and cultural powerhouse it is today. Having access to culture enhances our wellbeing and world-class venues like Riverside are a powerful draw for new and returning visitors. I wish it a very happy birthday.”

We asked colleagues based at Riverside what their favourite object or memory is, here is a flavour of what they had to say.

Annie, Assistant Programming Officer: “One of my favourite exhibits in Riverside is ‘Tram Dancing’. This work evokes memories of listening to my Mum and Dad reminiscing about their younger days of going into Glasgow. Having a wee hurl on the city trams, all dressed up in their best finery, from their wee village out in Lennoxtown to the bright City lights of the Locarno for the dancin’.

When I pass this in Riverside of a day, it brings me real joy and memories come to mind of old family photographs of them all dressed up. My mum in her beautiful dresses and my dad in his suits. What a handsome couple they were! I would love to have been part of that time and listening to music from that era always makes me feel close to my parents and makes me smile.

I especially love the social history element Riverside has to offer visitors, young and old alike. It is like an invisible thread running through the museum linking people together, it is wonderful to speak to visitors about their special memories, to watch them relive certain times in their lives and to observe parents explaining to their children, grandparents explaining to their grandchildren about times gone by.”

John, Curator Transport & Technology: “My favourite thing about the museum is that it brings the history of Glasgow and its people alive.

My highlight of the first ten years was the installation of the South African Railways locomotive. The project of finding it in South Africa, bringing it to Glasgow and then conserving it was a mammoth task. It was one of the first objects to go into the building and it being moved into position meant the grand opening was not far off. It’s the largest object in the Museum and from the day we opened it has generated lots of conversation with our visitors. Many are amazed at its size, others its history in South Africa during the Apartheid era and others on the display about the men who built in in the mid-1940s.”

Elizabeth, Gallery Assistant and costume maker: “One of my favourite areas in Riverside is the Old Street. I am particularly fond of the Victorian dress shop, aptly named Devine’s Gowns and Mantels, with its elegant gowns and old treadle sewing machine.

The story boards inside describe what clothes shopping would have been like in this period. A visit to a dress shop then would have been an experience, for those who could afford handmade and embellished dresses and day suits, nothing was available off the peg. The customer area of the shop would have been welcoming and luxuriously furnished, in comparison to the conditions in the workroom. It would have been noisy, cramped, badly lit and the women poorly paid. A great deal of time would have been spent hand sewing and embellishing the gowns with beads, pearls and precious stones. You can also see that clothes would have been made from luxurious fabrics and lasted for years, quite a comparison to the ready to wear and ‘throw away’ fashions of today.

As a dressmaker I have made Victorian bathing costumes and Victorian dress up costumes for the Photographers shop. I am pleased to say that sewing machines nowadays make life a lot easier.”

As the school holidays approach we hope you will join us and reacquaint yourself with a favourite object or display at Riverside.

A ticket is required to enter the museum. Tickets are FREE and available to book here. You need to pre-book, at least 24 hours in advance, for a specific date and time.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest East Renfrewshire News

Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror

Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!

The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024

Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.

Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge

With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.

Brand new functional gym space unveiled at Barrhead Foundry

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has launched a brand new dedicated functional training space at Barrhead Foundry, to enhance the current fitness offering for the community.

Celebrating 50 Years of Compassion and Talent: Calamity Jane Comes to Eastwood Park Theatre

In the heart of East Renfrewshire, nestled amidst the vibrant community, a special event is set to unfold.

Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.

New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle

Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.

Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.

Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.

POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores

This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.

More improvements set for Cowan Park

East Renfrewshire Council has announced a programme of works to further improve the facilities in Barrhead's Cowan Park.

Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.

Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes

Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.

Historic Glasgow village launches digital heritage trail

Carmunnock Heritage Trail launches this Easter weekend. It's a unique, free, multi-media tour with 16 QR coded video stops around Glasgow's last remaining village.

Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours

Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!

Playsport in East Kilbride is set to welcome a new state of the art racing simulator centre GP Racing Simulators

GP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.

Free activities this Easter at Dobbies

Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.

Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!

This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.

Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue

A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.

A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival

Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!

Dementia Walking Buddies service is huge sucess

If you care for someone living with dementia, Dementia Walking Buddies project might be the thing you're looking for.

National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me

Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!

Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative

Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.

Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland

Popular Listings

Eastwood Park Theatre Rouken Glen Park East Renfrewshire HSCP Walking Groups Greenbank House and Garden Dams to Darnley Country Park Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre

Riverside Museum celebrates 10 incredible years since opening

Ten years ago Riverside Museum opened in Glasgow to much critical and public acclaim.

Sponsored Links

Latest East Renfrewshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings