Bennie Museum

23/12/2022

Merry Christmas from everyone here at the Bennie Museum!

The museum will be closed on the following days:

Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Mon 26th Dec
Tue 27th Dec

21/12/2022

14/12/2022

10/12/2022

Photos from Bathgate & Lothians 'Old School''s post

07/12/2022

We're collecting your reminiscences about Bathgate. Contribute your stories and memories to the museum project. These can be submitted in writing or recorded. For phase 1 we are collecting reminiscences about 1) Royal visits to Bathgate, and 2) Bathgate gala days of the past.

If you would like more information on the project contact the Bennie Museum via phone or email, or pop in - we're operating winter hours at the moment Mon-Sat 11-3.30pm!

23/11/2022

We're looking for a couple of new volunteer custodians here in the Bennie Museum. If you love Bathgate, history, and talking to people, and you can spare 2-3 hours per week, we'd love to hear from you!

It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Bathgate and the surrounding area, or for work experience in a museum setting. Drop us an email, pop into the museum, or give us a ring. We're open Mon-Sat 11-3.30. 😁

23/11/2022

An example of an Art Deco building in Bathgate

02/11/2022

Does anyone remember using one of these?

28/10/2022

On the look out for an interesting walk this weekend? We have copies of the Bathgate Heritage Walks Guide available, many of which begin from the museum and take you to historical spots across town. It's filled with fascinating details about the history of Bathgate and the surrounding hills.

The Museum is open from 11-3.30pm Mon-Sat.

26/10/2022

We've been really inspired to read all the stories entered into the Bathgate Hills Venture Storytelling competition! Especially those featuring Bathgate's first recorded resident West Lothian Lizzie! 🦎 If you would like to find out some more about fossils discovered in the Bathgate Hills, pop in to the Bennie Museum to visit our latest exhibition. We're open Mon-Sat 11-3.30pm!

07/10/2022

Alison and Enid from the Bennie Museum will bring along some artefacts from our collection this Sunday for the Storytelling Afternoon at the Reconnect Regal Theatre! Come along and share your stories of the Bathgate Hills, we're looking forward to hearing them!

Good Morning. Our local foraging walk with Monica Wilde has sold out!

If you’d like to hear more from Monica, why not come along to our storytelling afternoon at the Reconnect Regal Bathgate. Hosted by Scottish actress, Libby McArthur, this will be an excellent opportunity to share stories of the hills.

Alongside Libby and Monica, other guest speakers include local photographers, historians including the Bennie Museum, authors and writers.

Tickets are £1 and can be purchased from the Regal. All proceeds will be donated to the Bennie Museum. Our aim is to chat and share stories in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee and biscuits on a cold October Sunday afternoon. Link below for tickets.

https://www.flowte.me/storefront/reconnect-regal-theatre?e=29669

06/10/2022

Bathgate has a long and interesting history with monarchy - our connection to the House of Stuart is just one part of it!

Available to buy in the Bennie Museum just now is 'Herons and Helicopters: Bathgate and Monarchy' which explores this fascinating history. Pop in and pick up a copy today.

Note: The Bennie Museum is now operating autumn/winter hours and will now be open Mon-Sat 11-3.30pm.

28/09/2022

We can't wait for our fully booked event happening TONIGHT. 🤩 If you have a ticket, join us at 7pm to hear from writing duo Martiza Haetzman and Christopher Brookmyre (aka Ambrose Parry) as we delve into their historical crime series and the fascinating story of Bathgate Bairn James Young Simpson

We will be accepting donations 🪙 for the Bennie Museum at the event so if you are able, we appreciate any amount you are able to give. Your donations contribute to keeping the Bennie Museum running and providing outreach activities so that we can share the story of Bathgate with schools and community groups.

27/09/2022

Good Morning. Our local foraging walk with Monica Wilde has sold out!

If you’d like to hear more from Monica, why not come along to our storytelling afternoon at the Reconnect Regal Bathgate. Hosted by Scottish actress, Libby McArthur, this will be an excellent opportunity to share stories of the hills.

Alongside Libby and Monica, other guest speakers include local photographers, historians including the Bennie Museum, authors and writers.

Tickets are £1 and can be purchased from the Regal. All proceeds will be donated to the Bennie Museum. Our aim is to chat and share stories in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee and biscuits on a cold October Sunday afternoon. Link below for tickets.

https://www.flowte.me/storefront/reconnect-regal-theatre?e=29669

23/09/2022

Looking for inspiration for your story? The Bennie Museum is open from 11-4 today!

15/09/2022

Another of the Queens visits to Bathgate, shared by WLC Archives team.

On the 5th July 1968, Her Majesty the Queen paid an official visit to the B.M.C. truck plant in Bathgate. On arrival to the factory, the Queen was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of West Lothian and the Marquess of Linlithgow. 400 people were also lined up at the entrance of the factory to see the Queen’s arrival.

The Queen’s busy schedule took her to many factories and businesses over her reign. She always took time to speak to the workforce. During this particular visit, she was introduced to 26 members of staff, including shop stewards. This image of the B.M.C. visit show her being introduced to staff on the shop floor.

18 year old Jeanette Kerr of Whitburn presented a bouquet to the Queen at the end of her visit. The West Lothian Courier interviewed her about her impression of the Queen; she commented, “She’s very nice. She’s smashing.”

15/09/2022

In the below photo we can see the Queen signing the visitors book on her visit to Kirkton Park in 1955. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip is also pictured speaking with Provost Shanks.

The Bennie Museum will be closed on Monday 19th September for the Queens funeral.

14/09/2022

Over the next few days we will be sharing a few photos in the Bennie Museum's catalogue. In 1955 the Queen visited several towns in West Lothian, including Bathgate. The photos in the collection were taken at a ceremony held in Kirkton Park.

Please note that the Bennie Museum will be closed on Monday 19th September.

13/09/2022

Join us in quiet remembrance of the Queen. Our exhibit celebrating the Queen's Jubilee and her visits to Bathgate is still available so that the people of Bathgate can reflect on the Queen's life and her links with the town. A book of condolence is available at the Partnership Centre.

07/09/2022

James Young Simpson was born in Bathgate in 1811 - he went on to become a significant figure in the history of medicine. He also has a starring role in the historical crime series 'The Raven and Fisher' mysteries 🕵️‍♀️. We'll be in conversation with Ambrose Parry, the pen-name for the co-authors behind these books - consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and best-selling author Christopher Brookmyre at this years Annual Bennie Museum Lecture! Check out our events page for full information and how to get your hands on a ticket 🤩

06/09/2022

Have you picked up your copy of our summer fundraising quiz yet? Test your Scottish knowledge and be in with the chance of winning £10! The winner will be announced at this years annual talk on September 28th!

It's time for the Bennie Museum summer fundraising quiz! 20 questions that test your knowledge of Scotland. Quiz sheets cost £1, and the winner of the £10 prize will be announced at the annual Bennie Museum talk on 28th September. How many answers will you get right?

There's only one way to find out! Pop into the museum and pick up your quiz sheet. We're open Mon-Sat 11-4pm.

24/08/2022

Can you spot any familiar landmarks in this old photo of Bathgate? 🤔

18/08/2022

🌞Don't forget about our summer fundraising quiz! £1 entry and you could win £10 💸. Pick up your quiz sheet in the Bennie Museum today, test your knowledge and support your local history museum. We're open from 🕰11-4pm Mon-Sat!

It's time for the Bennie Museum summer fundraising quiz! 20 questions that test your knowledge of Scotland. Quiz sheets cost £1, and the winner of the £10 prize will be announced at the annual Bennie Museum talk on 28th September. How many answers will you get right?

There's only one way to find out! Pop into the museum and pick up your quiz sheet. We're open Mon-Sat 11-4pm.

17/08/2022

Have you spotted the new information board on George Street promoting the Bennie Museum? Small town, Big history is right! The first record of Bathgate goes back to the year 1160! (Although If we count West Lothian Lizzie as our first resident then we stretch back 345 million years https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/natural-sciences/westlothiana-lizziae/ )

10/08/2022

It's time for the Bennie Museum summer fundraising quiz! 20 questions that test your knowledge of Scotland. Quiz sheets cost £1, and the winner of the £10 prize will be announced at the annual Bennie Museum talk on 28th September. How many answers will you get right?

There's only one way to find out! Pop into the museum and pick up your quiz sheet. We're open Mon-Sat 11-4pm.

03/08/2022

Have the got you in the mood for some local sporting history? 🎖 We have local sporting artefacts and images in the Bennie Museum, including this image of local swimming champ Mary C. Scott 🏊‍♀️, member of Bathgate ASC in the 1950's - look at all those trophies!🏆 🤩

We're open Mon-Sat 11-4! Don't forget we have live weaving demonstrations on Saturday afternoons

27/07/2022

Did you know the Bennie Museum started life as a weavers cottage? 🛖 We have lots of information on weaving and its importance to Bathgate on display. We're open 11-4 Mon-Sat during the summer with live weaving demo's every Saturday afternoon! 🙂

20/07/2022

Photos from Bennie Museum's post

20/07/2022

Do you remember when the town centre of Bathgate used to look like this?

22/06/2022

Do you remember this building? 🤔The Bathgate Town Council Burgh Chambers were designed by Roberts and Paul Architects. It was built in the 1960's and later demolished to make way for the Bathgate Partnership Centre🏢

15/06/2022

We have some interesting stamps included in our display for the Queens Jubilee 👑. Here's just a few examples!

We're open 11-4 today 😀

16/02/2019

Please note Museum Lecture venue is Masonic Lodge ,Jarvey Street ,Bathgate

07/02/2019

Please Note that the Museum will be closed for Maintenance work from Monday 11th February until Thursday 14th February 2019

20/01/2019

Please note that the Museum will be closed for maintenance from Monday 11th February until Thursday 14th February 2019

09/01/2019

11.ch

ANSWERS TO THE MUSEUM FISH QUIZ
Thanks to everyone who took part

1. Cod
2. Lemon Sole
3. Herring
4. Salmon
5. Pike
6. Barracuda
7. Sea Bass
8. Brill
9. Trout
10.Turbot
11.Chinook Salmon
12.Dogfish
13.Eel
14.Haddock
15.Perch
16.Lamprey
17.Flounder
18.Piranha
19.Razor fish
20.Sturgeon
21.Red Snapper
22.Whiting
23.Mullet
24.Minnow
25.Carp

Congratulations to Anne Ballantyne who had the first all correct version opened on 22nd December and won £10.

02/12/2018

Details of Bathgate 1st World War Casualties