The Lower Laing Museum
The Museum welcomes visitors from home and abroad. We have a wide variety of Newburgh and district photographs, documents and artefacts which are on display in the Museum
Alexander Laing
Alexander Laing was born in 1808 in Newburgh and was educated at the local school. He worked as a draper until 1850 when he joined his uncle Thomas Anderson in the Commercial Bank in Newburgh. In 1855. When Thomas Anderson died, Laing was made sole Agent, a post which he maintained until his own death.
Alexander was also a scholar and student of local and Scottish history and was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1856. In 1860 he began a movement for the foundation of a Public Library in Newburgh and he eventually bequeathed his own extensive library and antiquarian collection of artefacts to the town, along with the sum of £1,220 for the erection of a building to house them.
He published Lindores Abbey and the Burgh of Newburgh in 1876 and in 1878 St. Andrews University conferred upon him the honorary degree of LLD. Alexander Laing founded the first Savings Bank in Newburgh & was also elected as a member of the first Newburgh School Board. He stayed with his aunt & uncle at 89 High Street above the bank.
Around the year 1890, he appointed Trustees to carry out his wishes after he died to erect a building to house all his collections & for a Museum & Free Reference Library. The sum of £1200 was left for the erection of a building & a smaller sum for a free reading room with newspapers & maintenance of the building. He remained a well respected scholar until his death, aged 84, in 1892.
After his death in 1892, his Trustees carried out his wishes & the Laing building was erected. This became known as the Laing Trust & the building & contents were bequeathed to the inhabitants of Newburgh. The Laing Building had a residence at the front for caretakers, also a billiard table & reading room. Later the residence was used as the Rent Office for Newburgh Town Council. The upper floor of the building is now occupied by Fife Cultural Trust.
The ground floor is dedicated to Newburgh Ancestry and History Society and houses an exhibition of local history and also provides research facilities for those who need help with their own research.
Alexander was buried in the graveyard at Abdie Old Kirk.
“By the side of his mother was laid the body of her eldest son Alexander Laing, L.L..D.F.S.A. Scot. The hope of a blessed resurrection he was b. in Newburgh 24.2.1808 – 4.12.1892 beloved and esteemed by all”
