Shared from within the Project folder High Blantyre resident Jean McLean gave me is this photo. Taken in the early 1960’s at David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre. The centre looks well kept, whitewashed and cared for. Summer visitors walk around the grounds, the men in that era wearing suits for a nice day out. I’m unsure […]
Amongst some of the first visitors to the newly opened National Memorial to David Livingstone in 1929, were several important visitors from Africa. Amongst them, Chief Tshekdi Khama of Serewe, Bechunaland Protectorate (second from the left) took time to come to Blantyre and see the memorial first hand, making sure he also visited the new […]
The third from four photos of the David Livingstone National Memorial, now rebranded as the David Livingstone Birthplace. Of course, this is Shuttle Row, built in the late 18th Century, a couple of decades before David was born. The photo dates from the late 1950’s or early 1960s and people of a certain age may […]
This postcard is one of a series of four, which were taken around the late 1950’s or early 1960s. In the days before drones, this clever aerial photo captures the beauty of the David Livingstone Centre and grounds, set against the scenic backdrop of the River Clyde and nearby weir. To the left the remnants […]
Continuing a look at how the David Livingstone Centre came to be. Written in 1943 by Rev James Macnair, this transcript documents the efforts made to save and turn Shuttle Row into a museum in 1929. Today, the story of how manuscripts and other gifts were obtained. “The Memorial Trust has been markedly fortunate in […]
Pictured here on 24th May 1977, is the Queen Mother at Blantyre’s David Livingstone Centre (now rebranded David Livingstone Birthplace). The tour followed her visit to open the Africa Pavilions, which had been built earlier that springtime. It was likely a memorable visit for the Royal mum, for she had been there 48 years earlier, […]
Another great photo of Shuttle Row. An unusual angle from the back. This is the birthplace of explorer David Livingstone, born on the top floor to the right in 1813. In this photo from the 1940’s, young trees have been planted on the slopes, which today are now much, much taller! Shuttle Row was renovated […]