Exhibition Room
This room was once the home for a complete family comprising of one room and kitchen. We now use it as an exhibition area and shop.
There is an excellent display of white linen and lace. There is a large glass showcase containing models wearing period costume and Paisley Shawls.
On the floor of the showcase there is an 18th century Bible, know as the Women’s Bible because it was passed down from mother to eldest daughter. The first name in book is Margaret Stewart, who lived in Gordons Loan, Paisley in 1777.
There is a miniature cobblers shop made by William Reid in 1889. This little model stood for many years in the family’s cobbler shop in Wellmeadow St. Paisley. It was greatly admired by the customers who went to the shop to have boots and shoes repaired. When the shop closed in 1995, William’s family donated it to the Old Paisley Society. With the model we have, in William's own handwriting, his statement as follows.
""This box and the things that is in the box was maid by me W. G. Reid in the year 1889. It took me twelve months to mack it, no one had a hand in it but myself. W. G. Reid 33 Canal St. Paisley.
I was a shoemaker to but served my time with Mr John Young 93 High Street. Paisley’."
This is exactly how it was written by William Reid.