John Gray Centre

19/07/2024

Good Morning!
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we are unable to open the John Gray Centre Museum today, 19th July. The Museum will be open tomorrow from 10am.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

08/07/2024

In our ongoing showcase we are highlighting this lovely object of the week: A china suitcase ornament. Its straps & handle are picked out with gold lines. The arms of Dunbar are on one face in a hand-coloured transfer print. The base bears the letters JM interlocked with a scroll below `Caledonia China`.

The shape of the ceramic suitcase reminds me of large steamer trunks that emigrants would pack full of their whole life from Scotland before they travelled by sea to new locations. Haddington was a farming community, and in the 1800s there was a big change in how people treated common land. In a process called the Enclosures, landlords and the Crown parcelled up land and sold it, also raising rents for farmers. These farmers had relied on the common land to grow food for their families and animals. Without access to the common land, they couldn’t feed their animals AND had to pay more rent. Many farmers moved to Glasgow or North America, in a migration called the Lowland Clearances. Ornaments like this one from the early 1900s call to mind middle-to-upper class ‘staycations’ in the seaside, but a souvenir like this one would be a precious reminder of East Lothian for any weary traveller or emigrant.

Why not look up this object on www.jgc.org? Just insert its object number - 1997.431 - into the search box to read it’s database entry.

06/07/2024

A wonderful selection of tapestries from the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry are showing across the John Gray Centre Museum Gallery, Local History Centre and Haddington Library. They are on display as part of the tenth anniversary tour of East Lothian from 29th June to 25th August 2024. Panels can be seen at venues throughout East Lothian. For the full list of locations and opening times, visit scottishdiasporatapestry.org/east-lothian.

04/07/2024

28/06/2024

We are pleased to announce that the John Gray Centre is hosting panels from the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry in the Museum Gallery, Local History Centre and Haddington Library as part of the tenth anniversary tour of East Lothian. It will open on Saturday 29th June and run to 25th August 2024.

Discover the global legacy of Scotland and its people from across the centuries and around the world. Panels can be seen at venues throughout East Lothian. For the full list of locations and opening times, visit scottishdiasporatapestry.org/east-lothian.

21/06/2024

PUBLIC NOTICE:
The MUSEUM IS CLOSED from 10am to 1pm TODAY, Friday 21 June 2024, due to circumstances beyond our control.
WE WILL RE-OPEN AT 2PM.
For any enquiries, please email [email protected]
Apologies for any inconvenience but please do visit us when we re-open.☺️

17/06/2024

We were delighted to have two S3 pupils from Preston Lodge join us for their work experience week recently. Here’s what H had to say about her time with us:

‘On Monday I went to work at 10am and I filled shelves and made a display and I made a poster. I was at the John Gray Centre on Monday. On Tuesday I went to Library and Museum Headquarters in the Museum Store. I had a tour and chat about the Museum Collection and introduction to loan boxes and loan box research. On Wednesday I went to Prestongrange Museum and had a tour and made sure nothing was broken and I helped out with the public. On Thursday I helped out with a school visit and on Friday I made this blog and helped out with Project Boxes.’

It was great to have the help of the two pupils who were really interested and enthusiastic to hep out and learn more about the really varied work in Museums and Libraries. Thanks for your help and we hope you visit us again soon!

13/06/2024

REMEMBERIMG TOGETHER COVID EXHIBITION, Star Room, John Gray Centre
Friday 14 June 12-5
Saturday 15 June 10-4

Remembering the varied and individual experiences of Covid a digital exhibition has been created from stories collected in the community. Drop in and join us to celebrate this wonderful resource. Listen to some of the stories, enjoy refreshments and tell us what you think.

06/06/2024

Over the coming months we will be showcasing some of the many fascinating objects cared for by East Lothian Council Museum Service and highlighting interesting artefacts that are on display in the museum.

This week our object of the week is a magic lantern slide projector. This magic lantern slide projector was used at the Blackadder Church in North Berwick.

Modern smartphones use augmented reality to project Pokemon or beatboxing blueberries into the real world through the lens of the phone’s camera, but how did augmented and virtual reality, the process of projecting art made by humans into the real world, start? Using slide projectors, like this one from our collection, images were projected using the light from a candle or lamp. These ‘magic lanterns’ were used to tell folklore and Bible stories for audiences of all ages starting in the 1600s. The first immersive Virtual Reality was lantern slides projected onto the walls of churches and classrooms. In the 1800s, immersive entertainment using magic lanterns was often spooky in nature, earning the name ‘phantasmagoria!’ Victorians enjoyed ghostly illusions created using projectors, smoke, and mirrors—the origin of the phrase ‘smoke and mirrors.’ Imagine if you were watching slides of spooky devils and bats while buffeted by the wind from their wings (in the form of people offstage waving fans)! That’s what I call 4D entertainment.

Can you think of other forms of vintage VR? Hint: Camera Obscura!

The museum collection includes magic lantern slides and equipment and you can read more about this projector here: https://www.johngraycentre.org/collections/getrecord/ELMUS_2670/

05/06/2024

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to our King’s Witches event with Kate Foster last night.

Such an interesting discussion with Kate and it was a lovely enthusiastic atmosphere with some great audience questions.

The archive tour of our witchcraft records was also very popular and we will be running that again as part of Archaeology Fortnight so watch this space

A big thanks to Night Owl Books for their support

I hope all attendees enjoyed it as much as we did!

The King's Witches is out tomorrow and it's not to be missed

28/05/2024

💡Local History Spotlight:
✨Most of the time, author events at the John Gray Centre focus on fiction writers. But on this occasion, we have had a rare opportunity to showcase a valuable local history publication on agriculture and farming families in the county.
✨Our Local History Service special author event & book launch of 'A Farmer In East Lothian' yesterday evening was very well attended! The author, Mrs Margaret Cannon, gave a delightful and comprehensive presentation on the contents of her book and shared her journey of discovery and writing.
✨'A Farmer In East Lothian' is based on a Letterbook containing copies of over 700 letters written by her grandfather, Hugh Miller, who farmed at West Fortune.
✨This book of letters, written between 1910 and 1934, opens a door into the life of a man of influence and principle, but has also provided an amazing illustration of agriculture in Scotland in the early 20th century and the changes over the past 100 years!
⭐️Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of this excellent publication can email [email protected] and we will send your contact details to the author.⭐️

24/05/2024

📢Notification:📢
This event is now FULLY BOOKED!😁
COPIES OF THE BOOK CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE BY THE AUTHOR.
Please email: [email protected].📧

23/05/2024

📽Our GREEN IMPACT FILM SEASON continues this evening, Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 6pm in the John Gray Centre Star Room.
✨We will be watching and discussing🐝‘Honeyland’🐝 (2019, Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov), a beautifully filmed documentary filmed over three years.
✨This documentary portrays the life of Hatidže Muratova, a 50-something-year-old Macedonian beekeeper who lives in the village of Bekirlija. She utilises the ancient beekeeping traditions to cultivate honey in the mountains of North Macedonia. When a neighbouring family tries to do the same, it becomes a source of tension. The daily routines are enriching for Western eyes accustomed to the comforts of electricity, gas, tap water and cars.
✨The ‘GREEN IMPACT FILM SEASON’ ends next Thursday.
✨To find out the title of the forthcoming film, LOOK OUT for the FILM POSTER update in the display board outside the John Gray Centre or email [email protected].
✨The Club will also hold its regular post-screening discussions on the cinematic elements, performances and themes portrayed in the films screened. Coffee, tea and biscuits will also be available☕. Doors open at 5.30pm.
✨Entry is free for Club members but £5 donation to non-members. You are most welcome to join us!😊

21/05/2024

📣PUBLIC INVITATION: AUTHOR EVENT & BOOK LAUNCH: "A FARMER IN EAST LOTHIAN" by Margaret S. Cannon🚜
⭐️This is something that would really appeal to those interested in the history of farming and agriculture in East Lothian or have some farming family history.⭐️
✨East Lothian Library's Local History Centre will be hosting a special book launch and author event coinciding with Haddington Festival this year. This fascinating new publication is a valuable addition to literature on the rich history of farming in East Lothian. At this event, members of the audience will also be welcome to share any of their own farming family history stories or experiences. ✨
DATE: 27 MAY 2024 (MONDAY)
TIME: 6PM (Haddington Library will be open)
VENUE: STAR ROOM, JOHN GRAY CENTRE
⭐️SYNOPSIS: Margaret Cannon has published this valuable source for the history of farming in East Lothian upon discovering a Letterbook containing copies of over 700 letters written by her grandfather, Hugh Miller, who farmed at West Fortune. This book of letters written between 1910 and 1934 opens a door into the life of a man of influence and principle, but has also provided an amazing illustration of agriculture in Scotland in the early 20th century and the changes over the past 100 years.⭐️
✨The author will have copies available for anyone interested in purchasing a copy at the event so please bring cash. The book costs £15.
✨PLACES ARE GOING FAST so it would be much appreciated if reservations could be made to [email protected], or leave a telephone message with Haddington Library at 01620 820680, or walk-in to Haddington Library.
ALL ARE WELCOME!👩‍🌾

14/05/2024

📣FINAL 2 FAMILY & LOCAL HISTORY DROP-IN CLINIC📣
⭐️NORTH BERWICK LIBRARY⭐️
✨Our Local History Officer's tour of the various county libraries CONCLUDES in North Berwick Library, TOMORROW, Wednesday, 15th and NEXT WEDNESDAY, 22nd May 2024, from 10AM TO 12.30PM.
1️⃣First, there will be a presentation entitled, 'Ancestral Vibes: An Introduction to Family History Research'.
2️⃣This will be followed by a Q&A session. If you have any questions or require some guidance with your family history research🌳, or if you want to know how to find out more about the history of your house🏠or local area, you are very welcome to DROP-IN.
✨But if you can't make it, no worries, you can still organise an appointment at the John Gray Centre or send in your enquiries by email to [email protected].
😊See you in North Berwick!😊
‼️P.S.: Please note that the images here are copyrighted to East Lothian Council. Thank you.

08/05/2024

We've been absolutely overwhelmed with the response to our event with Kate Foster

Huge thanks to everyone who has booked on

The archives tour and the author talk are now both FULLY BOOKED

08/05/2024

📽Our GREEN IMPACT FILM SEASON continues this Thursday evening, 9th May 2024, at 6pm in the John Gray Centre Star Room with 'Still Life' (Jia Zhangke, 2006, Cert 15, Chinese).
✨This Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival is set against the spectacular landscape of the Three Gorges region in Fengjie county in China. The area is gradually being demolished and flooded to make way for the Three Gorges hydroelectric dam project, a controversial venture to many. In the story, a coal miner in search of his ex-wife, and a woman looking for her estranged husband, become witness to the societal changes as they visit the village to locate their respective spouses. At the same time as offering a revelatory, thought-provoking portrait of people adrift in a world they no longer recognise, 'Still Life' also reveals their energy, resilience and ability to reach new understandings.
✨The ‘GREEN IMPACT FILM SEASON’📽, takes place on 2nd, 9th, 23rd and 30th May 2024.
✨To find out the title of the forthcoming films, LOOK OUT for the FILM POSTER updates in the display board outside the John Gray Centre or email [email protected].
✨The Club will also hold its regular post-screening discussions on the cinematic elements, performances and themes portrayed in the films screened. Coffee, tea and biscuits will also be available☕. Doors open at 5.30pm.
✨Entry is free for Club members but £5 donation to non-members.
✨So, if you are a FILM BUFF and are interested in having a good chat about non-mainstream films, you are welcome to join us!😊

07/05/2024

🚨Exciting event announcement 🚨

Award winning author Kate Foster will be joining us at the Centre to discuss her new book The King's Witches with Dr Marie Macpherson on 4th June

The King's Witches is a fascinating historical novel based around the North Berwick Witch trials

Also on the night, there will be an archive tour showcasing records relating to witches in East Lothian

Booking is required for both events and full details are available on the attached poster

Books will be available to purchase on the night. Big thanks to Night Owl Books in East Linton for their support with this

02/05/2024

📣If you are a FILM BUFF and are interested in having a good blether about non-mainstream films, check this out!👇
✨As part of its 2024 programme, the John Gray Centre Film Appreciation Club will be screening a series of films with an environmental and climate issue context.
✨The ‘GREEN IMPACT FILM SEASON’📽, which begins THIS EVENING, will be on 2nd, 9th, 23rd and 30th May 2024 at 6pm in the John Gray Centre Star Room.
✨The Season begins with ‘First Reformed’ (Paul Schrader, 2018, Cert 15), starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfreid.
✨The film is about Ernst Toller, a troubled priest of a small church in upstate New York, who begins to spiral out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with Mary and her unstable environmental activist husband. Consumed by thoughts that the world is in danger, Toller embarks on a perilous self-assigned undertaking.
✨To find out the title of the forthcoming films, LOOK OUT for the FILM POSTER updates in the display board outside the John Gray Centre or email [email protected].
✨The Club will also hold its regular post-screening discussions on the cinematic elements, performances and themes portrayed in the films screened. Coffee, tea and biscuits will also be available☕. Doors open at 5.30pm.
✨Entry is free for Club members but £5 donation to non-members.

30/04/2024

📣FAMILY & LOCAL HISTORY DROP-IN CLINIC AT DUNBAR LIBRARY:
✨Our Local History Officer's stint at the various county libraries continues in sunny Dunbar on Tuesday, 7th May 2024, from 2 to 4pm.
✨If you have any questions or require some guidance with your family history research🌳, or if you want to know how to find out more about the history of your house or local area, you are very welcome to DROP-IN.
✨But if you can't make it, no worries, you can still organise an appointment at the John Gray Centre or send in your enquiries by email to [email protected]. Hope to see you!😊
❗️Please note that the images here are COPYRIGHTED to East Lothian Council. Thank you❗️

25/04/2024

This week is the last chance to see the wonderful William Gillies: Modernism and Nation exhibition from the Royal Scottish Academy! It will be open till the end of the day on Saturday 27th April 2024. Do pop along to see it! We have a fun art trail for families that you might want to give a go!

The Museum and exhibition are open Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

This anniversary exhibition marks 125 years since the birth of one of Scotland’s most talented and influential painters, Sir William Gillies RA RSA (1898-1973). Born in Haddington, Gillies served in the First World War and taught for many years at Edinburgh College of Art. He inspired generations of Scottish artists. The face of Scottish painting today would certainly be different without William Gillies. William Gillies: Modernism and Nation is part of a larger touring project, which can be seen throughout Scotland from 2024 to 2026.

William Gillies RSA (1898 – 1973) The Tyne at Haddington © Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images

23/04/2024

📣FAMILY & LOCAL HISTORY DROP-IN CLINIC NEW DATES:
✨1. MUSSELBURGH LIBRARY, tomorrow, 24th April 2024 from 10am to 12noon: our Local History Officer will be available for some Ancestry guidance or even for just a chat. So, if you would like advice on researching your family tree🌳, or if you want to know how to find out more about the history of your house or local area, you are very welcome to DROP-IN.
✨2. JOHN GRAY CENTRE STAR ROOM, Friday, 26th April 2024 from 2.15pm onwards. The Friends of the John Gray Centre have organised this Drop-In Day which begins with our Local History Officer giving a presentation entitled 'Ancestral Vibes: Introduction to Family History Research'. This will be followed by a Q&A session plus our Local History Officer will be available for any personal consultation too!
⭐️So do pop-in with your questions.⭐️
No worries if you can't make it because you can still organise an appointment or send in your enquiries by email to [email protected].
Hope to see you there!😊

17/04/2024

The very popular William Gillies: Modernism and Nation exhibition from the Royal Scottish Academy has two further weeks to run. It will be open till the end of the day on Saturday 27th April 2024. We hope you make it along to see it.

The Museum and exhibition are open Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

This anniversary exhibition marks 125 years since the birth of one of Scotland’s most talented and influential painters, Sir William Gillies RA RSA (1898-1973). Born in Haddington, Gillies served in the First World War and taught for many years at Edinburgh College of Art. He inspired generations of Scottish artists. The face of Scottish painting today would certainly be different without William Gillies. William Gillies: Modernism and Nation is part of a larger touring project, which can be seen throughout Scotland from 2024 to 2026.

William Gillies RSA (1898 – 1973) The Tyne at Haddington © Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images

13/04/2024

Join artist Lynn Fraser aka Fantoosh Sketching on one of her unique Sketch & Wander workshops in Haddington, to celebrate William Gillies. Learn some techniques along the way as we stop off to mark make and create outside as Gillies loved to do.

At a relaxed pace we'll walk and stop to notice and engage with our environment. This workshop focuses on stimulating creativity and expression through mark-making while responding to our surroundings, rather than covering perspective or any formal aspects of drawing. All materials for this Sketch and Wander experience are supplied on the day and we will also use organic materials from nature to help colour our work but do bring your own materials to use and carry if you desire. We'll wander towards the River Tyne and Nungate Bridge, stopping off along the way. The walking will be at a gentle and moderate pace with some uneven ground and a few steps.

Saturday 20th April 10.30am to 12.30pm/1pm. Meet at Museum.
Free, but please book in advance as places are limited. To book call 01620 820690, pop into the museum or email [email protected].

Sketch by Fantoosh Sketching
William Gillies RSA (1898 – 1973) Dakers’ Garden, around 1916 © Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images.

11/04/2024

The wonderful and very popular exhibition William Gillies: Modernism and Nation will now be on display until Saturday 27th April 2024.

Sir William Gillies RA RSA was born in Haddington. He served in the First World War and taught for many years at Edinburgh College of Art where he inspired generations of Scottish artists.

This lovely watercolour is included in the exhibition. It’s grouped with other early works that show Gillies finding his feet as a young artist and his own early artistic influences. The local amateur painter and editor of the Haddingtonshire Courier, Robert Alexander Dakers was key to Gillies’ early development in art. Here Gillies has depicted Dakers’ beautiful garden.

Do pop in and see the exhibition. We are open Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

William Gillies RSA (1898 – 1973) Dakers’ Garden, around 1916 © Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images.

10/04/2024

Why not book a place on our wonderful free art workshop on Saturday 20th April 2024? Join artist Lynn Fraser aka Fantoosh Sketching on one of her unique Sketch & Wander workshops in Haddington, to celebrate William Gillies. Learn some techniques along the way as we stop off to mark make and create outside as Gillies loved to do. Lynn says "Sketching is my active meditation, it's a joy to share it with other people''.

08/04/2024

Sketch and Wander in the Footsteps of Gillies. Join Lynn Fraser of Fantoosh Sketching on one of her unique Sketch & Wander workshops to celebrate the art of Sir William Gillies. Saturday 20th April 10.30am to 12.30pm/1pm. Free, but please book in advance as places are limited. To book call 01620 820690, pop into the museum or email [email protected].
Image by Fantoosh Sketching.

28/03/2024

📢PUBLIC NOTICE📢
✨All East Lothian Council Area Offices including the John Gray Centre will be closed for the Easter Public Holiday from Friday, 29 March to Monday, 1st April 2024.
✨The following link provides information and guidance on Council services available over the Easter Weekend: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/news/article/14258/office_closures_-_easter_weekend_29_march_to_1_april
✨John Gray Centre reopening details:
📚Haddington Library reopens at 9am on Tuesday, 2nd April
📰The Local History Centre reopens at 10am on Tuesday, 2nd April
📜The Archive Service reopens at 10am on Thursday, 4th April
🏺The Museum reopens at 10am on Thursday, 4th April (check out new Summer Season opening times on the John Gray Centre website).
🪻Thank you and have a happy holiday weekend!🐇

28/03/2024

Have you booked a place on our fascinating upcoming walking tour? Sandy Wood, Head of Collections, Royal Scottish Academy will lead a walking tour of Haddington on Saturday 6th April. The tour will explore key locations where Sir William Gillies lived, worked and found inspiration. The tour will stop at the points of interest including the High Street, Knox Academy, the Tyne and the Nungate Bridge. We will hope for a sunny day!
Saturday 6th April 2pm to 3.30pm. Meet at Museum.
Free, but please book in advance as places are limited. To book call 01620 820690, pop into the museum or email [email protected]. The route is approximately 2.5km on made paths and pavements. A description with photographs is available. Please ask when booking.

William Gillies RSA (1898 – 1973) The Tyne at Haddington and Nungate Bridge, Haddington © Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images.

26/03/2024

📣Advance Notice:
✨Our Local History Officer will be on leave from 8 to 16 April 2024.⛲️
✨So if you would like access to our Local History Centre or consult the Local History Officer for 🌳FAMILY HISTORY, HOUSE HISTORY🏠, or LOCAL STUDIES📖research, then please send an email to [email protected] to arrange an appointment out-with the abovementioned dates.
✨You can also simply email your enquiries and a response will be sent back as soon as possible.📬