19-07-2025
I went to this new Clydebank landmark- it was dead
The newly-opened museum in the Clydebank Library opened to locals today - and I was the first through the door to experience the new facility.
At 10.10am, I thought someone might have beat me to it to be the first through the door, given it opened 40 minutes before then, but I was rather surprised when the smiley man behind the desk informed me I earn the prestigious title.
He offered to take my picture and post it on social media as celebration, but given I was there for a job, it didn't seem morally right.
Coming down the stairs to the library, I was at first worried I turned the wrong corner and went to the back rooms, but after following the signs, I landed upon something better than I thought.
(Image: Newsquest) I was greeted by the face of bankies, locals who have been interviewed to share their love of the town and share it's history.
A wall decorated with four portholes which features tv screens took you a journey through the towns heritage from how it was named, what the people of the day were like and the many factories and docks which put Clydebank on the map.
Featured on the screens were truly amazing archived videos of maps, workers and the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1938.
(Image: Newsquest) Walking through the space, there were precious historical artefacts, eye-catching displays and plenty of interactive experiences.
One of which you could decorate a Singers Sewing Machine similar to one of the 36 million the factory shipped world wide during it's production.
(Image: Newsquest) The feature that struck me the most was small space to the side of the museum which pays tribute to the 528 lives lost during the Clydebank Blitz.
The sombre monument lists all the names and ages of those who died, including the youngest, Daniel Canning who was a mere two months old.
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(Image: Newsquest) Uniting the good history with the bad, the museum also highlights some of the brave acts of selflessness which took place.
Including ambulance driver, Mary Haldane, who rescued and treated the wounded despite her ambulance suffering bomb damage.
And the courageous act of Sergeant John MacLeod who rescued a family and a bedbound man who were trapped with an unexploded bomb.
Whether you think you know the history of Clydebank or you are curious to find out more, I bet every local could learn something from the magnificent display of history.
By the time I had my wander round the museum, bar the staff, I was still the only one there.
Despite it coming on 11am, there was no soul in site. It's a shame to see a facility which so much funding has been poured into thus far empty.
Hopefully some bankies keen to learn something new about their home town and take advantage of these wonderful resources.
The opening hours for the museum are:
