
Albert Institute
Designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, was built
in 1865-7.
It was
built on an area, originally just outside the Town Wall,
to the north. This area was known as the Meadows and was
a popular recreation area with a burn running through it.
The burn was diverted and the ground drained. The ground
was still marshy and the Albert Institute had to be built
over massive oak piles.
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Prince Albert died December 14, 1861
Memorials to Prince
Albert were apparently the rage throughout Britain.
Dundee was bankrupt so the Baxter's and other Dundee
manufacturers formed a private company to build one. It
was built in 3 stages. The photo shows stage one. Stage
two, the central part, was added in 1873 and stage three,
the Eastern galleries, in 1887.Stage 1 initially housed
the Free library.
A comment in a History of Dundee of 1873 was 'The outside
stair leading to the west entrance detracts very
considerably from the appearance of the structure, and,
indeed, on this side there is an evident want of
dignity.'
The Builder wrote Mr Alexander (the City Architect
who designed the third stage, to Scotts intentions)
is to be congratulated on not having failed to a far
greater extent in a difficult task. (I had to
read this twice!)
Now the whole building houses the Art Galleries and
Museum. The interior was renovated in 1983 when it was
renamed the McManus Galleries in honour of Lord Provost
Maurice McManus. (I didnt approve of the name
change but then I wasnt asked my opinion.) It
is being renovated again and is closed just now till
2007.
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