Lower Laing Museum

About the museum

The Lower Laing Museum stands in the Laing building on the High Street of Newburgh. Alexander Laing (1808-1892), a draper who became agent of the Commercial Bank in the town, left his library, antiquarian collection and money to Newburgh for a museum and free reference library. After his death in 1892 his trustees had the building erected and gave it to the town. It originally included a caretaker's residence, a billiard table and a reading room.

Today the ground floor is run by the Newburgh Ancestry and History Society, a volunteer group that received Scottish charity status in 2023. The upper floor is used by Fife Cultural Trust. The museum reopened after an extensive refurbishment with new displays on the town's industrial, social and cultural history.

The collection includes artefacts about the lives, trades, sports and families of Newburgh, and an extensive collection of photographs, many from the collection of Tom Pearson. Volunteers show visitors around, and the society offers help with family history research.

Highlights

• Local history exhibition on the ground floor
• Photographs, documents and objects on Newburgh and the surrounding district
• Building of 1892 from the bequest of Alexander Laing
• Help with family history research

Permanent exhibition

• Newburgh local history – Displays on the life, trades, sports and families of Newburgh, with many local photographs.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Newburgh Ancestry and History Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no entry fee; donations towards running costs are welcome.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small selection of items for sale, such as calendars.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit