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George Washington Wilson's photographic works
4 George Washington Wilson's photographic works at St. Swithin Street, showing the female workers laying out the glass plates to dry in the sun. Woodside electric tram
137 The inaugural procession on 23rd December 1899 for the electrification of the Woodside tram route, the first in Aberdeen to be modernised.
Lord Provost John Fleming is at the helm, with Tramways Convener Alexander Wilkie standing next to him, and Councillor Alexander Glass has his foot on the platform.
Next to Fleming and Wilkie, and above Glass, appears to be Alexander Lyon, provost between 1905-1908. Baillie James Taggart, also later to be provost, is the right-most figure in the back row on the roof of the car. Two to the left of Taggart may be James Walker, provost between 1903-1905.
James Alexander Bell, City Electrical Engineer for Aberdeen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is the bowler hatted figure on the stairs above Lord Provost Fleming.
This inauguration is detailed in an article titled 'Electric tramways in Aberdeen: Opening of Woodside section' in the Aberdeen Journal of 25th December 1899, page 7. It details the celebratory tram trip shown here and a luncheon in the Town and County Hall that followed. Aberdeen Savings Bank, Union Terrace
178 Aberdeen Savings Bank, Union Terrace, 1894. Aberdeen Savings Bank was established in May 1815 "for receiving such small sums as may be saved from the earnings of tradesmen, mechanics, labourers, servants etc". As the bank became more successful, they moved from premises in the Guestrow to a new building in Exchange Street. By the 1890s, the directors decided that a new site was necessary, especially as the population in the city was moving westwards. This illustration, by the architect William Kelly in 1894, shows the building that was to be constructed at the junction of Union Terrace and Diamond Street at a cost of £11,000. The design is of Renaissance style, with the central entrance leading to an inner porch lined with red and grey granite, then a short flight of steps led to the main telling office. This office had a deeply panelled ceiling and dome partially filled with painted and decorated glass. Coats of Arms of the City and Lord Provosts were also displayed. The counter and desks were made of mahogany and oak with wrought iron and wrought copper grills. In the 1960s, a large extension was built on an adjacent site and, in 1983, the bank became part of the Trustees Savings Bank in Scotland and in 1999 became part of Lloyds TSB. Cowdray Hall, 1927
218 Shrine, war memorial, Cowdray Hall, 1927.
The War Memorial and the extension of the Art Gallery, including the Cowdray Hall and Museum, were opened by King George V and Queen Mary on 29th September 1925.
These were erected at a cost of 80,000 pounds, with the cost of the War Memorial being raised by public subscription.
The War Memorial is a cenotaph, in the form of a Memorial Court or Hall of Remembrance and is "consecrated to the memory of those 5000 of the city and district who gave their lives on land and sea 'that we might live'".
The shrine is of white and grey marble in a niche in the north wall of the Memorial Court, directly opposite the entrance. It takes the form of a table on which is placed the Roll of Honour, printed on vellum, within glass.
The table is supported by trusses decorated in Renaissance style. On either side are the Union Jack and White Ensign, representing Army and Navy, and in the centre is a laurel wreath in gilt bronze.
Also in the picture can be seen the circular balcony or gallery, with a graceful balustrade, grey marble coping and ornate mouldings, which encircles the Court and leads to various picture galleries, one of which can be seen through the doorway Queens Cross Free Church
369 Queens Cross Free Church, Aberdeen. This photograph taken by G.W. Wilson whose house was almost adjacent. In 1877, the Free Church discussed the possibility of a church to cater for those who lived in the increasingly popular west end of the city. They secured a triangular site at the junction of Albyn Place and Carden Place at Queens Cross. Competitive designs were sought and John Bridgeford Pirie, of Pirie and Clyne, architects, were successful with his French Gothic design in granite. The steeple is 150 feet high and the grand entrance doorway is flanked by massive pillars leading into the nave where there was space for around 800 worshipers. There is a circular window in the east end, stained glass windows having been gifted by members of the congregation. The building was opened for worship on 17th April 1881, and the popularity of its first Minister, the Rev Dr George Adam Smith brought large audiences to the church. Smith was later to become Principal of Aberdeen University. The church became the only one of the city's free churches to have instrumental music when it acquired an organ built by Henry Willis. Queens Cross became Church of Scotland in 1929 when the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church merged. Various extensions have taken place, including a new hall and vestry in 1939, and the building was extensively restored in 1980. Greyfriars Church, Broad Street
464 Greyfriars Church, Broad Street. It was demolished in 1903 to make way for extensions to Marischal College. A new church was opened in September 1903 and the old south window of this church was inserted in the new church filled with stained glass to commemorate the history of Greyfriars Church and other religious scenes. Greyfriars Parish Church window
759 Old Greyfrairs Parish Church. The great transomed window in the south gable of Old Grayfriars, with its seven lights and 'basket' tracery, is unique in Scotland, and, when the church was removed in 1903 to make way for the west front of Marischal College, the window was inserted in the east gable of the new Greyfriars Church and filled with stained glass. The Aberdeen New Savings Bank
764 The new Aberdeen Savings Bank, Union Terrace. Designed by William Kelly, 1896.
Aberdeen Savings Bank was established in May 1815 'for receiving such small sums as may be saved from the earnings of tradesmen, mechanics, labourers, servants etc'. As the bank became more successful they moved from premises in the Guestrow to a new building on Exchange Street in 1858.
By the 1890s, the directors decided that a new site was necessary, especially as the population in the city was moving westwards.
This photograph shows the building that was constructed at the junction of Union Terrace and Diamond Street at a cost of £11,000. The design is of renaissance style, with the central entrance leading to an inner porch lined with red and grey granite, then a short flight of steps led to the main telling office. This office had a deeply paneled ceiling and dome partially filled with painted and decorated glass. Coats of Arms of the City and Lord Provosts were also displayed. The counter and desks were made of mahogany and oak with wrought iron and wrought copper grills.
In the 1960's a large extension was built on an adjacent site, and in 1983 the bank became part of the Trustee Savings Bank in Scotland, and in 1999 became part of Lloyds TSB. George Street Electric Tram Service
1069 A photograph of the inaugural procession on 23rd December 1899 for the electrification of the Woodside tram route, the first in Aberdeen to be modernised.
This copy of the image has been labelled as the "Opening of George Street Electric Car Service - 1899." The trams would have travelled from Aberdeen city centre to Woodside along St. Nicholas Street and George Street.
Lord Provost John Fleming is at the helm, with Tramways Convener Alexander Wilkie standing next to him, and Councillor Alexander Glass has his foot on the platform.
Next to Fleming and Wilkie, and above Glass, appears to be Alexander Lyon, provost between 1905-1908. Baillie James Taggart, also later to be provost, is the right-most figure in the back row on the roof of the car. Two to the left of Taggart may be James Walker, provost between 1903-1905.
James Alexander Bell, City Electrical Engineer for Aberdeen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is the bowler hatted figure on the stairs above Lord Provost Fleming.
This inauguration is detailed in an article titled 'Electric tramways in Aberdeen: Opening of Woodside section' in the Aberdeen Journal of 25th December 1899, page 7. It details the celebratory tram trip shown here and a luncheon in the Town and County Hall that followed.
Another, clearer version of this image can be found on this website (image reference: A43_14). George Washington Wilson's works
1265 The premises of George Washington Wilson, photographer, in St Swithin Street between Albyn Lane and Stanley Street. The workers are exposing and drying the glass plates. Interior of Old Greyfriars Parish Church
1518 Interior of Old Greyfriars Parish Church, Broad Street. It was demolished in 1903 to make way for extensions to Marischal College. A new church was opened in September 1903 and the old south window of this church was inserted in the new church filled with stained glass to commemorate the history of Greyfriars Church and other religious scenes. Aberdeen Corporation's Electricity Works
1754 The turbine hall of Aberdeen Corporation's Electricity Works, corner of Crown Street and Millburn Street. Hydraulic power was obtained via a special water intake from the River Dee near Stell Road.
Correspondent Ed Fowler flagged up that the report for a 1907 visit to the works by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers is available to read online. It contains an interesting section with details of the switchboards visible in this image:
"Switchboards.- The electric light and traction switchboards, which run along the south wall for about two-thirds of its length, stand in line with one another on a raised gallery of cast-iron columns and girders supporting a glass fireproof floor about 12 feet above the engine-floor level. The glass floor in the gallery not only serves as an insulator, but also allows a certain amount of light to pass into the area immediately underneath. Both boards are of white marble, the lighting board having been supplied by Messrs. Siemens Bros. and Co., while the traction board of their ordinary standard type was supplied by the British Westinghouse Co." Byron's House
1762 Print of Byron's House, Broad Street. Lord Byron lived in No.64 with his mother when he was a pupil at the Old Grammar School in Schoolhill.
This sketch is by Aberdeen born Robert Douglas Strachan (1875-1950) who went on to become an acclaimed stained-glass artist. See his Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for details of his life and career. Victoria Lodging House
1763 Victoria Lodging House. Provost Skene's House, Broad Street. Dating from 1545, Provost Skene's House, also known as Cumberland House, after the Duke of Cumberland who stayed there in 1746. In the 19th century it was known as the Victoria Lodging House. It was in danger of demolition, but for the timely intervention of the Queen Mother in 1938. It was restored after the war.
This sketch is by Aberdeen born Robert Douglas Strachan (1875-1950) who went on to become an acclaimed stained-glass artist. See his Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for details of his life and career. The Shiprow
1764 Shiprow showing Provost Ross' House. The building was renovated, extended, and subsequently occupied by Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
This sketch is by Aberdeen born Robert Douglas Strachan (1875-1950) who went on to become an acclaimed stained-glass artist. See his Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for details of his life and career. St. Machar's Cathedral
1841 St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing a field with cows in the foreground. This image looks south east towards the church and may have been taken from the field west of Kettock's Mills and south of Balgownie Lodge.
The photograph likely dates from early 20th century and Aberdeen City Libraries hold a glass lantern slide version in our George Kemp collection. Old Inn at the Pier
1991 A drawing titled Old Inn at the Pier, signed W. Gordon, 1890.
The label on the library's glass slide identifies the building as the Ferry Boat Inn. It was located past the old Blockhouse at the end of Pocra Quay. The harbour side pub was run by Willie Cormack, who also ran a shop in Fittie called Highland Willie's.
Comparing the shape and location of the pub shown here with the Ordnance Survey Aberdeen town plan surveyed 1866-67, particularly the pub's bay windows, suggests this is in fact the Steam Yacht Inn. This inn, which was further up Pocra Quay, east of Pocra Jetty, can be seen on the above town plan on sheet LXXV.12.21. The 'City of London'
2006 The 'City of London' was launched in April 1844 from the yard of Robert Napier at Govan on the River Clyde, having been built for the Aberdeen Steam Navigation Company and designed by John Duthie, Jnr of Aberdeen. She was regarded as 'the largest and most magnificent iron steamship ever yet built in any part of Her Majesty's dominions' - with the exception of 'Great Britain'. She was constructed entirely of iron, but her deck and the ornamental parts of her cabins were fitted out in oak. She was 231 feet long and measured 1116 tons, and was powered by two engines each of 130 horsepower. This would make her one of the fastest vessels on the Aberdeen - London voyage. She had berths for 110 passengers, with spacious, elegant cabins. The salon was furnished with sofas and chairs covered in green Genoa velvet, while ornamental coloured glass and mirrors produced a warm light.
Her first voyage to London was in July 1844, when her cargo included 600 boxes of salmon and 215 cattle. Her return voyage was completed in under 38 hours - five hours faster than any other vessel had achieved.
By 1870, she was taken off the run, and disposed of. A new 'City of London' was launched in 1871, and she was an even faster vessel and used about 100 tons of coal on each return journey. Queen's Cross Church
2116 Queens Cross Church in the snow. In 1877 the Free Church discussed the possibility of a church to cater for those who lived in the increasingly popular west end of the city. They secured a triangular site at the Queen's Cross junction of Albyn Place and Carden Place.
Competitive designs were sought and John Bridgeford Pirie, of Pirie and Clyne, architects, were successful with his French Gothic design in granite. The steeple is 150 feet high and the grand entrance doorway is flanked by massive pillars leading into the nave where there was space for around 800 worshipers. There is a circular window in the east end, stained glass windows having been gifted by members of the congregation.
The building was opened for worship on 17th April 1881, and the popularity of its first Minister, the Rev Dr George Adam Smith brought large audiences to the church. He was later to become Principal of Aberdeen University.
The church became the only one of the city's free churches to have instrumental music when it acquired an organ built by Henry Willis. Queens Cross became Church of Scotland in 1929 when the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church merged. Various extensions have taken place, including a new hall and vestry in 1939, and the building was extensively restored in 1980. A School of Dolphins: Kirky at Kincorth Library
2172 To represent the dolphin habitat, their shimmering skin and their bright, happy personalities every child in Kirkhill School made a glass tile with Shelagh Swanson from Oil and Glass to make Kirky a shiny and silky smooth sculpture Treasure 7: The Reference Library
2276 The Reference Department opened in the new Central Library on 29 August 1892. This photograph from the Library Archive shows a very busy Reference Department in the early to mid 20th century. The bookcases and fittings were of wainscot and mahogany and were described as having "a very handsome appearance". The floor was laid with noiseless cork carpeting and indiarubber matting to ensure "an air of quiet, so essential to the enjoyment of reading". An additional 80 chairs had been provided as part of the improvements in 1905, including 30 for the exclusive use of ladies. Books could be accessed directly off the shelves and the whole department was much brighter and attractive.
The Reference Department, still on the 2nd floor of the Central Library, is now known as the Information Centre. Come and visit anytime to see how the place has changed and to see the Treasures from our Collections exhibition which is running until July 2017. Treasure 32: George Washington Wilson South Africa Photography Collection
2320 George Washington Wilson is one of the great names in 19th century photography, famous for capturing images of people, buildings and landscapes across Scotland. His photography drew attention to the beauty of his country, but his travels further afield are not as well known.
As an innovative pioneer in photography, George Washington Wilson's work reflected the reality and attitudes of society during his lifetime (1823-1893). In our collections we hold a vast selection of photographs and portraits taken by the G. W. Wilson Company in South Africa. These images were taken by his son, Charles Wilson, and Fred Hardie, a company photographer of George Washington Wilson & Co.
The company's photographs of South Africa captured scenes of the country which would have been perceived as unusual and exotic to British people at the time.
South Africa and its Treasures
The majority of British colonization was concentrated in South Africa during the 19th century. In the past, the country was colonized in order to control one of the main trade routes to India. Due to the abundance of resources such as spices and tea, European interest in Africa increased dramatically in the late 19th century, especially with the discovery of gold and diamonds in the 1860s-1880s.
On their return to Britain, George Washington Wilson & Co presented many photographs showing these natural resources, from the Robinson Gold mine in Johannesburg to De Beers Diamond Mines in Kimberley.
Tea was also a very valuable resource, and people in Britain were keen to learn more about its production and its use in South Africa.
Photography and Tourism
The collection held by Aberdeen City Libraries shows local places of interest in South Africa. These photographs capture Cape Town and Johannesburg, two of the biggest cities in the country. Many Europeans emigrated to these cities in the 19th century, due to the discovery of valuable resources in the surrounding area.
With the rapid rise of tourism in this period, George Washington Wilson & Co. looked for new ways to promote and sell their work. Around 1880-1890, they started to commercialize their photography via picture postcards, a relatively new concept in Britain. This new form of media met with huge success as it was easy to write and cheap to send. It soon became the standard way to communicate with friends and family when abroad, a holiday tradition which remains today.
The postcards, in colour and having a standard size, featured many different scenes from South Africa and were viewed as an innovative way to publicize the country - and the works of photographic firms such as George Washington Wilson & Co. Treasure 34: A Selection of Original Scots Songs in Three Parts
2322 Although the union of the Parliaments between Scotland and England had taken place almost a hundred years before, as the 18th century was drawing to a close there was still much fascination regarding the differing cultures. In time, Victorian society would give this fascination a renewed vigour, helped by Queen Victoria's passion for Scotland - including the establishment of Balmoral Castle as her residence North of the border. Before that time though, in the late 1790s, books were produced offering English readers an insight into their neighbours' traditions.
One such book was entitled 'A selection of original Scots songs' edited by Franz Haydn and published between 1790 and 1794. The book is designed to introduce the reader to the music and lyrics of traditional songs in Scotland. Haydn's book reproduced the songs along with corresponding music, and also offered a glossary to help with the more obscure language.
Burns' song 'My Heart's In The Highlands' - more popularly regarded today as a poem - makes an appearance in the selected works by Franz Haydn. With the collected works produced between 1790 - 1794, this was at a time when Burns began to suffer from the illnesses which would eventually end his life just a couple of years later.
Robert Burns
Celebrated across Scotland every year, Robert Burns Day takes place on 25 January and is an opportunity to remember Scotland's Bard and his work. Known the world over as the National Poet of Scotland, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) was born in Alloway, Ayrshire. Burns' early life was one of balance; he toiled on his family's farm by day, and was taught reading and writing by candlelight at night. He conversed in Scots, while learning passages from English texts to further his studies. Although regarded by history largely as a poet, Burns also composed many songs - perhaps his most famous work 'Auld Lang Syne' being one of the few traditionally remembered in song form. One of our treasures this month celebrates Robert Burns' work and that of many other traditional Scottish musicians. Treasure 35: Notes and Jottings of G.M. Fraser
2323 George Milne Fraser had a lifelong interest and expertise in local history; delivering talks (as seen in the December 2015 Treasure), publishing books and numerous letters and articles in the local press. His 'Notes and Jottings' collection comprise over 70 volumes, mostly hand written (including a form of shorthand), which are a treasure trove of information about the local area.
Within these notebooks are newspaper articles and advertisements, photographs, personal correspondence, sketches and many other interesting bits and pieces. Library staff have compiled an index to this invaluable resource and consult it on a regular basis when researching enquiries. It is quite a challenge deciphering his handwriting sometimes!
As a journalist by profession, G. M. Fraser retained his talent for writing and contributed articles to the Aberdeen Free Press, Bon Accord and Northern Pictorial, Evening Gazette, and journals such as the Deeside Field.
His contributions to local literature began in 1904 with the publication of The Green. Historical Aberdeen appeared the following year and after Aberdeen Street Names in 1911 the Town Clerk Depute wrote to Fraser with the words "We must now regard you as our Principal Historian".
The Life and Work of G. M. Fraser
G. M. Fraser was appointed city librarian in 1899 and was the second public librarian in Aberdeen. He can be seen on the far right of this image from the library archive.
His name was known all over the north east and he was mentioned in the chorus of one of Harry Gordon's popular songs, The Auldest Aiberdonian: "I ken lots o' stories G. M. Fraser disna ken". On 30 October 1923 he gave a 15 minute talk on the radio about Castlegate, becoming the first librarian in Aberdeen to make a radio broadcast.
During his term of office there were many developments in the Library service:
- The Central Library was extended in 1905 to include a new reading room
- Branch reading rooms and delivery stations were established throughout the city
- The Juvenile Library in Skene Street opened in 1911
- Open access was introduced in the Lending Library 1925 (find out more about Open Access libraries in the October treasures!)
- Fraser's strongest legacy is the Local Studies collection, which still contains many of our treasures.
G. M. Fraser was remembered very fondly after his death on 7 June 1938. There were many tributes including one from the Library Committee. Perhaps one of the warmest tributes was paid by his successor as City Librarian, Marcus Milne:
"Somehow the Library and G.M. were one. You could not think of the Library without thinking of that kindly figure who was head of it; and one could not meet him without thinking of the building he graced for so long. Mr Fraser had 2 hobbies and work was both of them. He lived for nothing else. The library was ever uppermost in his thoughts and closely allied to his love for the Library was his great love for things Aberdeen".
Mr Fraser's funeral service was attended by many prominent city officials and floral wreaths included one from Lady Aberdeen with the inscription "In affectionate and grateful remembrance of a much valued friend". He is buried in Springbank Cemetery.
In 1955, Aberdeen's first post-war permanent branch library was opened at Northfield and named the G. M. Fraser Branch Library in his honour.
In further recognition of his contribution to the development of the Library service, a commemorative plaque can be found on the front of the Central Library building. |