Provost Skene
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2019) |
Provost George Skene | |
|---|---|
 Provost Skene's House | |
| Provost of the city of Aberdeen | |
| In office 1676–1685 | |
Sir George Skene of Fintray (1619–1708) was a Scottish merchant in the Baltic trade who served as Provost of the city of Aberdeen from 1676 to 1685.[1] He was knighted in 1681.
He was a burgh commissioner for Aberdeen in the Parliament of Scotland from 1681 to 1682 and 1685 to 1686.[2]
On his death in December 1708 he was buried in the family plot at the Kirk of St Nicholas. The flat stone lies close to the west boundary wall around midway on its length.
Today he is most famous and widely known, not for his time as Provost, but for his house, which is a tourist attraction in Aberdeen.
Provost Skene's house[]
Provost Skene's House was built in 1545, and was bought by him in 1669.[3][1] It was opened to the public in 1953 as a 'Period House and Museum of Local History' by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The rooms have been furnished in the styles of the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. There are collections of coins and local history, while the Painted Gallery contains a series of religious paintings. The Costume Gallery presents regularly changing displays of period dress.
The house is much altered, but is a rare survival of Aberdeen's medieval burgh architecture. It is thought that George Skene commissioned the carved plaster ceilings in the 17th century. In an attic gallery a Renaissance painted ceiling, including strapwork decoration and religious scenes, was commissioned by a member of the Lumsden family.[4]
In 2021, Provost Skene's House was reopened to the public after renovations were completed. As a museum, the house now provides details on prominent figures who were born or lived in Aberdeen. These figures range from singers and writers, to doctors and business owners.[5]
Rated a three star museum by the Scottish Tourist Board, the museum is free to the public.
References[]
- ^ a b "Sir George Skene". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ Parliamentary Papers, Volume 62, Part 2. p. 584, 586.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Broad Street, Provost Skene's House, including archway and south building (Category A Listed Building) (LB20156)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Edward Meldrum, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries Scotland, vol. 91 (1958–59), 85–103, "Sir George Skene's house in the Guestrow" (PDF).
- ^ REVIEW: Rebirth of Provost Skene’s House is a heroic triumph for north-east.
External links[]
- Provost Skene's House – official site at Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
- Pictures and history of the house.
- History of the house.
- Aberdeen City Council website.
- Portrait of Sir George Skene
- 24 Hour Museum article.
Coordinates: 57°08′54″N 2°05′51″W / 57.1483°N 2.0975°W
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- People associated with Aberdeen
- Lord Provosts of Aberdeen
- Burgh Commissioners to the Parliament of Scotland
- Members of the Parliament of Scotland 1681–1682
- Members of the Parliament of Scotland 1685–1686
- United Kingdom museum stubs
- Aberdeen geography stubs
- Scottish Provost stubs