Step back to 1892 and into Stonefield Parish Church, where locals gathered for an evening that blended history, storytelling, and early visual technology. The following is the full newspaper transcription from 1 October 1892, capturing this remarkable community event:
LOCAL LECTURE. — A lecture on “The Parish of Blantyre: Historical and Picturesque” was delivered in Stonefield Parish Church yesterday evening, by the Very Rev. Dr. Gloag, formerly a minister of the parish. The church was very well filled, and Rev. Mr. Pryde occupied the chair. The lecturer, in an address of fully an hour, dealt almost entirely with the historical incidents connected with the district, commencing with an account of the foundation of the old Priory, and referring to the history of the Blantyre family, the settlement of the Blantyre “Lairds,” the establishment of the mills, and, in conclusion, at greater length, with the interesting events in the life of Dr. Livingstone connected with the village of Blantyre. After the close of the lecture, the picturesque features of the parish were then shown by a very large series of views thrown on a screen by a lime-light lantern. These views included almost every conceivable part of the parish, and were almost a revelation to many of how beautiful their homely spots could look under favourable circumstances. The views were of very good merit, and reflected great credit, not only on the skill, but also upon the artistic taste of Mr. Hendrie, who took the negatives. Ample justice was done to such picturesque spots as the Clyde at the Priory, the Calderwood Glen at the Black Linn and at Crossbasket, Bothwell Bridge, and similar interesting spots. The lecture will go far in the way of educating the public taste to look for the really picturesque spots which lie at their very door. The usual votes of thanks were heartily awarded at the close.
What an evening it must have been — storytelling, heritage, and the magic of lime-light lantern images bringing Blantyre’s landscapes to life for an astonished audience.
Incredibly, with thanks to Alex Bowie, I think I have the photos taken from these negatives. In a collection by David Ritchie, I’m investigating the possibility that David moved into Hendrie’s building on Main Street in the early 20th century and somehow whether accidentally, inheritance or through a colleague with similar photography interests, ended up with all these negatives.
Which part of this 1892 event would you have loved most — the historical lecture or the lantern-slide tour of old Blantyre?
#BlantyreHistory #LanternSlideEra #ScottishHeritage
