Intern Zayn Investigates Carnegie's Philanthropy and Uncovers a New Perspective
In my time researching at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum here in Dunfermline, I found some interesting tidbits about millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Inspired by the Collection
For the last 18 months or so, we have been working on a project to look at our retail offer and how it can be more sustainable. This has resulted in a number of exciting outcomes, including the redeveloped shop space and a number of new stock ranges. This blog looks at one of those ranges in more detail.
The museum collection is fully of beautiful objects that were gifted to Andrew Carnegie as acknowledgement of his generosity of money and effort toward several causes. These range from fine caskets made of precious medals to a walking stick made from the coffin of an accused “witch”. These objects often tell the story of the gift its self, or of the culture from which it came. They are a fascinating insight into the impact Andrew Carnegie had around the world.
One such item is a Chinese, hand painted silk scroll that was gifted to Andrew Carnegie and his wife Louise in 1912 by the International Institute of China in acknowledgement of their efforts in pursuit of peace. The painting depicts a peace dove, clutching a Scottish thistle, crossing the Pacific Ocean between the USA and China. On one side, the American Eagle watches the dove's progress while holding the flags of the USA and United Kingdom in its claws. On the other side, a Chinese dragon awaits the dove's arrival, while the star of Jerusalem shines its light in the background.
There are some items in the collection that are unlikely to be on display because of their fragility. This scroll is one of them – it is currently in amazing condition but is extremely susceptible to light damage, and the silk can easily be damaged by the weight of hanging it. We are always looking for new ways to engage our visitors with objects that we cannot display beyond reproducing them digitally.
In early 2022 we chose this scroll as a potential source of inspiration for a new range of products for our museum shop. We were lucky enough to receive some funding towards an artist commission, and after a great response to our call out we chose Haddington based artist Helen Wyllie to work with. Helen has an incredible portfolio of collaborations with creative organisations as well as her own range of products featuring her artwork. Helen visited the museum when it was closed and was able to get up close to the scroll for inspiration.
Some examples of Helen Wyllie’s artwork inspired by the scroll
Over the next few months Helen produced a range of artwork inspired by elements of the painting which could be applied across a range of exclusive products for the shop, as well as signage, interpretation, and packaging. Together these elements create a coherent range that tells the story of the source painting. The first products on the shelves were the dove and eagle pin badges, which have proven immensely popular with our visitors. Slowly the range has grown to include enamel mugs, notepads, stickers, tea towels and limited-edition artist prints. Helen’s illustrations really capture the vibrancy and movement of the painting, while bringing her own contemporary twist to the designs.
A selection of item from the new product range. Pictured: enamel mugs, eagle and dove pin badges, notepad, and limited edition artist print.
Display in the museum shop showcasing the new products
The museum shop is open 11-4 daily.
Breathing new life into old stock
For the last 18 months or so, we have been working on a project to look at our retail offer and how it can be more sustainable. This has resulted in a number of exciting outcomes, including the redeveloped shop space and new stock ranges. This blog looks at one of those ranges in more detail.
Dunfermline has long been a centre for linen, and the story of linen manufacturing is central to the story of Andrew Carnegie and his family. It was the industrialisation of linen production that changed his family’s fortunes and drove them to make the move to the USA. The museum itself is home to an Irish Jacquard handloom that dates from around 1840.
By the early 20th Century, there were eleven linen factories in Dunfermline, each with its own design team. In 1929, the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust approached James Mathewson & Sons to commission a souvenir napkin to commemorate the opening of the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum which had opened in 1928. The napkin was designed by their head designer Alexander (Sandy) Robertson, who had learned his trade at the firms’ Bothwell Works factory.
Blakckand white image showing the pattern for the Carnegie Linen.
The resulting napkin (above) is a masterpiece of damask design, incorporating imagery and symbols that tell the story of Andrew Carnegie, all surrounding an image of the Birthplace Cottage itself. These napkins were manufactured by Mathewson & Sons until they closed their mill in 1932.
Fast forward 65 years to 1994, and an original pointpaper design for the napkin was rediscovered in the museum collection along with two original napkins and a test sampler. The Trustees of the CDT approached Ian Dale of Angus Handloom Weavers, Brechin, to put the design back into production. The linen has been woven ever since, and continues to be a popular item in the museum shop, particularly with international audiences.
Master weaver, Ian Dale of Angus Handloom Weavers, working on the Jacquard loom in the museum
In 2021, we started to look at the stock in the museum shop and think about new and exciting ways to produce exclusive products. The linen stood out to us as a resource that could be utilized as a raw material and turned into something really beautiful. However, we stalled at a number of hurdles – manufacturers had large minimum orders requiring a large financial investment and a big risk for the museum.
Fate was on our side – in early 2022 Dunfermline became home to Kalopsia Collective. Assemble by Kalopsia Collective is a textiles product service with a unique offer – they manufacture items efficiently and quickly in small numbers, while also aiming to reduce waste. They have curated a range of beautiful, contemporary products to which clients can apply their own textiles. This model appealed to us on so many levels – we can produce unique, local, hand made, high quality items items that can be ordered quickly in response to demand, which ultimately allows us to try out new products and experiment with very little risk.
When the museum opened in March for the 2022 season, we stocked a range that included messenger bags, purses, make up bags, scrunchies and lavender sachets. These proved popular and we have since added aprons and rucksacks. The quality of the linen alongside the quality of design and manufacture makes for products that are not only beautiful but practical and useful.
The museum shop is open 11-4 daily.
Celebrating world's first Carnegie Library
In 1881, Andrew Carnegie decided to visit his birthplace in Dunfermline to give his ageing mother a possible last visit to her native Scotland. The visit was also important for another reason - it was namely when the foundation stone to the first ever Carnegie Free Library was laid. Here is a story from our archives about this joyous day.
Deciphering stones!
In May this year, we had a visit from Dr Katie Strang who came to see what type of stones, rocks and fossils we have in our collection. This blog tells the fascinating story of one of these fossils…
Two Andys
June is Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. Our blog today focusses on a gay artist who was one of the inspirations behind the artwork that was specially created for our collection in 2019.
A Boy and his Hero Uncle
Andrew Carnegie wrote in his Autobiography: “I may mention here a man whose influence over me cannot be overestimated, my Uncle Lauder. He possessed an extraordinary gift of dealing with children and taught us many things.“ Find out more about this fascinating man from this guest blog by Jack Pryde.
Being a Good Neighbour
What was it like to grow up next to the Birthplace Museum? This blog, written by a guest blogger Jack Pryde (a local tour guide), explores his childhood in Dunfermline of the times gone by.
Dunfermline Tapestry
In celebration of Women’s History Month, this month’s blog will take a closer look at the Dunfermline Tapestry, woven by a group of local women thirty years ago.
Into the woods
This month’s blog focusses on four wildlife photographs in our collection - with a very fascinating backstory!
What’s in a Frame?
In celebration of soon approaching Burns Night, let’s take a closer look at this peculiar portrait of Burns from our collection.
Carnegie Ex Libris - Book Week Scotland
For this year’s Book Week Scotland we’re going to take a closer look at the Carnegies’ beautifully designed bookplates. Bookplates are sometimes called ‘ex libris’, meaning ‘from the library of’ in Latin.
Andrew Carnegie and Booker T. Washington
Those who have visited the museum may have spotted the display board mentioning Andrew Carnegie’s support of African-American education, and one of its leading figures, Booker T. Washington. In recognition of Black History Month (UK), let’s find out more about his achievements.
The Great Pudding à la Reine Bake-Off
In honour of International Food Day on the 16th October, this month’s Carnegie Birthplace blog draws inspiration from Victorian and Edwardian banqueting. Visitor Services Officer Annie tries her hand at making a traditional Victorian pud.
Behind the Layers
This artwork, painted by local artist Andrew Blair in 1860, hangs in our museum’s refreshment area (this is the route connecting the birthplace cottage to the museum hall). If you have visited our museum before, I am sure you have walked past it countless times.
New CEO’s reflections of first month in post
Well 2020 has certainly been a unique year and one that will not be forgotten in the history books! Starting a new job during a pandemic has been challenging but also insightful. When I was appointed as the new CEO at the end of February the world seemed a very different place to the one we are living in now.
Museum Assistant Interview: Meet Beth!
Some members of our team have been with us for many years and have great stories to tell! Here is our interview with Beth, one of our Museum Assistants, who has worked at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum since 2006.
Volunteering with the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. Today, we are catching up with one of our young volunteers - Chelsea. Here is her story:
World Whisky Day - 16th May
In honour of World Whisky Day, we thought we would celebrate with a blog post all about Andrew Carnegie’s relationship with Scotch, as well as some contributions from our Museum Team who will be sharing their favourite tipples!
