A much-loved cultural asset that has preserved, and brought to life, the history of Glenrothes is relaunching to mark the town’s 75th anniversary.
Glenrothes & Area Heritage Centre, which was previously based in the Kingdom Shopping Centre, is re-emerging in nearby Rothes Halls after a three-year absence.
Cultural charity OnFife, which runs the venue, is hosting a series of displays showcasing artefacts, film footage and photographs dating from 1948 to 1995.
Re-opening of the new-look exhibition coincides with the date – 30 June 1948 – when a designation order was signed by Government to establish Glenrothes as a New Town.
Items have been donated by members of the public, Glenrothes Development Corporation and Glenrothes Tourist Association, which was the main organiser of town events in the 1980s and 90s.
On display for the first time will be silverware and regalia associated with organisations that no longer exist – among them Glenrothes Flower Show Society and Glenrothes Inner Wheel.
Further additions include uniforms and medals produced for the Olympiad – an international sporting contest, held every three years, that originates from Glenrothes’ twin-town arrangement with Boblingen, Germany.
Some familiar objects are making a welcome return. From the Leslie-Rothes family archives, there will be a display of uniforms and regalia together with a priceless Titanic relic linked to Noël, Countess of Rothes, who survived the tragedy.
Artefacts associated with the Tullis Russell paper mill are another key part of the display.
The Heritage Centre, founded in 2009 by its Chair Linda Ballingall, opened in 2010 and was registered as a charity the following year. It was forced to close in 2020 because of Covid-19.
A series of award-winning exhibitions helped win 3* Visitor Attraction Accreditation from VisitScotland, which the centre now hopes to regain.
Linda Ballingall said: “We are delighted, after such a long period of time, to have this opportunity to re-launch the Heritage Centre to the public within such an excellent venue, and look forward to the future with great optimism.”
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For further information contact Sheona Small, press officer, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com
Notes to editors: OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife. Further information can be found at www.onfife.com
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