Exhibition of historic photographs from the Irvine Valley
In 2018 East Ayrshire Leisure Trust received a donation of over 500 glass plate negatives and prints, many of which show scenes of Darvel and Newmilns. These have now been scanned and researched as part of a university project by student Donna Wallbaum-Nicoll, and a selection will be displayed at Darvel Town Hall and Morton Hall, Newmilns for around a month beginning on Wednesday 4th September.
Most of the photographs were the work of John Macintosh (c.1854-1932) who lived his entire life in the Irvine Valley. Originally an architect, he designed several local buildings and is most well-known for the Public School in Newmilns that opened in 1894. He also published four books (Historical Review of Galston and Loudoun Parishes, Ayrshire Poets, Ayrshire Nights Entertainment and Irvinedale Chimes) and was also a journalist, painter and violin maker!
The exhibition aims to show the development of Newmilns and Darvel in the 1880s-1890s and some of the people who make up the area’s rich history, but some of the photographs are of unidentified places and people so Donna is asking for your help and feedback. You may even spot one of your ancestors! Some images are well-known, published in James Mair’s Pictorial History books in 1989. However, these prints from original negatives show more details, including ‘retouches’ that removed marks when printed. Some negatives have broken or deteriorated because of poor storage; however, they are on display here because they are rarely, if ever, seen in public.
The image above is one that Donna needs your help identifying. If you can help she will be at the venues on the following dates.
Donna will be available to chat about the exhibition and get your feedback at Darvel Town Hall (Main Hall) on Wednesday 4 September from 1pm-4pm, Friday 6 September 1pm-5pm, and Wednesday 9 October 1pm-4:30pm and at Morton Hall (Hall 2) on Wednesday 4 September 5:30pm-9pm, Thursady 5 September 10:30am–3:30pm, and Wednesday 9 October 5:30pm-9pm.
However you can visit the exhibition, which is supported by East Ayrshire Leisure, during normal opening hours for the venues
