Clydebank Museum

About the museum

Clydebank Museum first opened in 1980 in Clydebank Town Hall, where it was originally run by volunteers. It grew out of local interest in the history of a town shaped by two great industries: the Singer sewing machine factory, which employed many thousands of people until it closed in 1980, and the shipyards on the River Clyde, including John Brown's and the Beardmore yard.

In summer 2025 West Dunbartonshire Council opened a new Clydebank Museum and Local History & Archives in the basement of Clydebank Library after a major redevelopment. The Town Hall building is now called Clydebank Town Hall and Galleries and is used mainly for art exhibitions.

The museum tells the story of Clydebank's past and looks ahead to its future. Its displays include examples from the Singer sewing machine collection, which Museums Galleries Scotland recognised as a collection of national significance in 2013, together with objects and paintings from the council's own collection. The museum also remembers the people of the town during the Second World War and those who lost their lives in the Clydebank Blitz.

Next to the museum, a local history and archive service holds books, maps, photographs, postcards, directories and newspapers, with online genealogy resources for family history research.

Highlights

• Singer sewing machine collection, recognised as nationally significant
• Displays on the John Brown's and Beardmore shipyards
• Memorial display about the Clydebank Blitz
• Objects, photographs and paintings showing community life
• Local history and archive service with a research room

Permanent exhibition

• Clydebank Museum displays – The displays cover the town's industrial past, from Singer sewing machines to the John Brown's and Beardmore shipyards, and remember the Clydebank Blitz of the Second World War.

Founded

1980

Operated by

West Dunbartonshire Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The council lists disabled access and public toilets for the museum. The library building has a lift to the upper floor and an accessible toilet.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the basement of Clydebank Library on Dumbarton Road. The council page gives no public transport or parking details.

Amenities & dining

Digital terminals and a dedicated research room are available for local and family history research.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit