Perth locals invited to name new City Hall museum
The new £26.5 million national museum in City Hall will host the Stone of Destiny
Perth locals are being given the opportunity to cement their role in the Fair City's history, and future, by naming the new national museum in City Hall.
Opening in 2024, the £26.5 million national museum will house the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, which will be free to visit. The stone is an object of UK and Scottish importance used to crown Kings and Queens since the 9th century.
The new museum will also explore the stories that put Perth and Kinross at the heart of Scotland’s history.
The public are being asked to suggest their favourite name by picking up a leaflet at any Culture Perth and Kinross Library or Perth Museum and Art Gallery, at Perth and Kinross Council buildings, as well as businesses throughout the Fair City.
Suggestions can also be submittedonline.
An announcement on the final name of the museum will come in the summer of 2022.
Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “This new museum will be a museum not only for the city, but for all the residents of Perth and Kinross, and we want their help in the search to find the right name. We want to hear what the public would like to call this iconic building”.
Perth & Kinross Council leader Murray Lyle added: “This is a great opportunity for the people of Perth and Kinross to get involved in creating a lasting legacy for Perth, Scotland and the UK.
“This is a hugely exciting project and I am sure we will receive some fantastic suggestions of possible names over the next few weeks.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The Perth City Hall Museum will be a fantastic new attraction and home to important artefacts that tell the story of our national history.
"I hope lots of people take part in this competition and submit their ideas for the name.
"The UK Government is investing £10 million to transform the city hall as part of the £1.75 billion we are investing in levelling up communities right across Scotland."
The City Hall building, has been an important cultural and political landmark in Perth for decades, hosting everything from political conferences to rock concerts and wrestling matches.
Margaret Thatcher and Arthur Scargill both delivered speeches in the Concert Hall while band such as The Who, Siouxie and the Banshees and Belle and Sebastian have also graced its stage.
Perth City Hall, which will be managed in partnership between Perth and Kinross Council and Culture Perth and Kinross, is supported by £10 million from the UK Government as part of the Tay Cities Region Deal.