Provost Skene's House

Provost Skene's House is a house in Aberdeen, built in 1545 and now housing a museum. It is named after Provost Skene, who bought it in 1669 and is thought to have commissioned its 17th century plaster ceilings.[1][2]

A 16th century town house
Provost Skene's House, Guestrow by George Washington Wilson (Aberdeen Archives, Galleries & Museums Collections
Provost Skene's House, Aberdeen
Main door, Provost Skene's House, Aberdeen

It lies in central Aberdeen, midway between the Kirk of St Nicholas and Marischal College.

History

The building was remodelled in the mid-18th century (increasing window sizes) but remains a rare survival of Aberdeen's medieval burgh architecture, with substantially intact envelope and interior. In an attic gallery a Renaissance painted ceiling, including strapwork decoration and religious scenes, was commissioned by a member of the Lumsden family.[3]

The building was opened to the public in 1953 as a 'Period House and Museum of Local History' by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. In that iteration, the rooms were furnished in the styles of the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. There were also displays of coins and local history. The Costume Gallery also housed regularly changing displays of period dress.

In 2021, Provost Skene's House was reopened to the public after renovations were completed. It now houses displays on singers, writers, doctors, business owners and other prominent figures who were born, lived or worked in Aberdeen, meaning the city now lacks a general chronologically-based local history museum.[4] The Painted Gallery is the only part of the earlier display to be retained. Rated a three star museum by the Scottish Tourist Board, the museum is free to the public.

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Broad Street, Provost Skene's House, including archway and south building (Category A Listed Building) (LB20156)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. "Sir George Skene". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  3. Edward Meldrum, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries Scotland, vol. 91 (1958–59), 85–103, "Sir George Skene's house in the Guestrow" (PDF).
  4. REVIEW: Rebirth of Provost Skene’s House is a heroic triumph for north-east.

57.1483°N 2.0975°W / 57.1483; -2.0975

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