The Garioch Heritage Society came about because two Community Workers had the idea of recording reminiscences of older inhabitants of Inverurie. They then realised that there was potential to gather much more information about local history, so at a public meeting in 1987 the Garioch Heritage Society was founded.
Over the intervening years there has been gathered a comprehensive collection of photographs, postcards, pictures, slides, plans, local books, newspaper cuttings and hardware such as old tools and household items. Local schools are encouraged to request source materials to complete local history or environmental studies projects, whilst members give talks in the schools on the history of the Garioch.
Local schools are encouraged to request source materials to complete local history or environmental studies projects, whilst members give talks in the schools on the history of the Garioch.
Meetings are held regularly during the winter months to hear various presentations on local subjects. The storage and exhibition space is very limited, so public access is limited. However, an annual exhibition is held to present a sample of the accumulated paper cuttings, photographs and artefacts to the members of the Society and the general public.
The Society is also striving to gather and preserve the history and stories of the Tait’s Paper Mill, the Aberdeen shire Canal, the Locomotive Works, old style farming and the development of Inverurie from a small village to the bustling, vibrant town it is at present.
It has been granted Charitable Status and has been in talks with various bodies, organisations and people to find a permanent site to allow the display of its many exhibits, allowing more public access as a reference and research facility on local subjects.
Meetings are held in the Lodge St Anthony Masonic Hall, High Street, Inverurie at 7.30 p.m. from September to May, open to members and non-members. There is an entry charge to each meeting, and an annual subscription of £5.00 per member.
