Visitors are spoiled for choice with our long-term displays over two floors, from the Industries that Shaped Dunfermline through Home Life in Dunfermline to Dunfermline’s Royal Timeline where you can meet the Kings and Queens of Scotland.
On entering the museum, the first area you will visit is the Industries section. The displays tell the story of Dunfermline’s industrial past: from the handloom weavers and skilled craftsmen who produced beautiful damask linen and ornate goods by hand, to the huge power loom factories whose mass-produced linens and silks were exported all over the world. It also tells the story of the miners, who worked long hours in dangerous conditions to provide the coal needed to fuel the steam-powered looms and other machinery invented during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.
Turn right from the Loom Room and you’ll see the Dunfermline People Wall, a celebration of some of Dunfermline’s most famous and well-loved people. As well as Kings and Queens and, of course, Andrew Carnegie and his wife, Louise, it also features sports personalities; musicians; authors and even a ballerina!
You can then go on to explore the Home Life section of the museum. This area explores the changes in home life in Dunfermline throughout the 20th century through a series of kitchen sets and accompanying films. The films explore the dynamics of the family in the 1920s, 1960s and 1990s and highlight the technological advances and social changes in these eras.
Recreation and Leisure in Dunfermline is all about fun! The large neon sign above the display case even declares “It’s playtime!” How did people in Dunfermline spend their free time throughout the 20th century? There’s everything from sports and hobbies to toys and games, including a barrel organ; top hat and opera glasses; a Furby; Star Wars figures and a Nintendo Gameboy – all donated by local people. The case follows a timeline of 100 years and includes a trail of small toys that winds its way through the rest of the display. It is a mad mix of everything and you’re bound to spot something different every time you see it.
Our Footwear Display features some of the footwear held in our costume collection, including the slippers belonging to Alexander Dick Miller, known to locals as the ‘Dunfermline Giant’. Alexander was 7ft 6! Local legend has it that he was presented to Queen Victoria as the tallest man in Britain. The ice skates on display were used for playing sport. You can tell that Dunfermline used to have its own ice rink and even its own Ice Hockey Team – The Vikings!
Dunfermline’s Transport covers some of the curious transport-related objects from our collection, build a bridge and enjoy a film about crossing the River Forth. Objects on display the Tod Car and Engine, wall-mounted bicycles, tram rails, bus indicator and an F1 racing tyre.
Dunfermline’s Wars is themed around conflict, both recent and the two World Wars. The corridor contains two display cases of artefacts from WW1 and WW2, with a focus on how war affected life here in Dunfermline. These are complimented by two audio visual stations. The Refuge Room interactive encourages people to consider how they would feel if they were under threat of attack and what personal items they would take into a bomb shelter.
Royal Dunfermline is where you’ll find Dunfermline’s royal story. It takes you on a journey of over 700 years, where you will come face to face with kings and queens. A not-to-be missed feature is Dunfermline’s Royal Timeline, an interactive exhibit spanning over 700 years of Royal history in Dunfermline. Starting with the marriage of Malcolm and Margaret in the 11th century, the timeline charts notable dates in Dunfermline’s history as well as some dates of national importance. The coloured bands on the wall represent the reigns of Malcolm III, David I, King Robert the Bruce and King Charles I. The story ends in 1649 when the King born in Dunfermline Palace, Charles I, is executed in London. This is a unique opportunity to come face to face with some of Scotland’s kings and queens. Through a series of specially commissioned films, you can meet Saint Margaret, David I, Robert the Bruce, Queen Anne of Denmark and King Charles I and listen to them talk about their life, death and connections to Dunfermline.