94% of secondary school pupils take part in cultural, sporting and leisure activities outwith the school curriculum 
Annual report 2006/2007 Paisley Museum - Archives, Historical Photographs and Social History Collection
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Discover the social and industrial history of Renfrewshire's people from the earliest inhabitants, the development of Paisley Abbey from its establishment in 1169, up to the industries of the 19th and 20th centuries – Renfrewshire has an incredibly rich past.
Among our "hidden treasures" pride of place goes to the Arbuthnott Missal.
Dating from 1491, this spectacular illuminated missal (a book of the texts used in Church Services) was one of the few Scottish items of its kind to survive the Reformation.
It includes beautiful paintings and a blood-curdling rite of excommunication, and provides a unique insight into the forms of worship practised in Scottish churches.
Due to the fragility of the book we cannot have it on public display all the time - although we do occasionally, so check back here regularly for an announcement.
Dating from 1491, this spectacular illuminated missal (a book of the texts used in Church Services) was one of the few Scottish items of its kind to survive the Reformation.
It includes beautiful paintings and a blood-curdling rite of excommunication, and provides a unique insight into the forms of worship practised in Scottish churches.
Due to the fragility of the book we cannot have it on public display all the time - although we do occasionally, so check back here regularly for an announcement.
Recent News
In spring 2007 the British Library, in collaboration with the Society of Chief Librarians, Scottish library authorities and Microsoft, launched the 'Hidden Treasures' competition to put important manuscripts held in public libraries online. Renfrewshire Council was one of the five successful entrants.
And so The Arbuthnott Missal can be viewed anytime online, you will need a software plug-in which can be downloaded.
Social History, Archives and Historical Photographs
The food, textiles, engineering and shipbuilding industries of the 19th and 20th centuries are represented by a variety of objects.
Everyday objects used by the people who worked in these industries make up much of the social history collection and archives.
We hold a collection of more than 20,000 historic photographs, dating from the 1850's right up to the present day. Street scenes, buildings and industries feature prominently in the collection.
The archive collection, shared jointly with Paisley Central Library, includes records from J & P Coats, the world-famous thread manufacturers, together with collections relating to Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone and other parts of Renfrewshire.
The archive collections are available to view in either Paisley Museum or Paisley Central Library. Copies of images from the historical photographic collection are available on request.
Everyday objects used by the people who worked in these industries make up much of the social history collection and archives.
We hold a collection of more than 20,000 historic photographs, dating from the 1850's right up to the present day. Street scenes, buildings and industries feature prominently in the collection.
The archive collection, shared jointly with Paisley Central Library, includes records from J & P Coats, the world-famous thread manufacturers, together with collections relating to Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone and other parts of Renfrewshire.
The archive collections are available to view in either Paisley Museum or Paisley Central Library. Copies of images from the historical photographic collection are available on request.
Contact us
Curators for all the collections are based at Paisley Museum, please arrange an appointment if you have a specific request.
- Email ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- Phone 0141 889 3151 (Keeper of Archives and Historical Photographs)
- Paisley Museum High Street, Paisley PA1 2BA
- Email ref.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- Phone 0141 889 2360 (Local History Keeper)
- Paisley Central Library 68 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BB
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