Social History

This collection encompasses four main areas: (1) Community life; (2) Domestic and family life up to the present day; (3) Personalia and costume, including civic and ceremonial costume and examples of working and occupational dress; (4) Working life, including trade union, political and friendly society banners and regalia.

The objects, photographs and tape recordings relate to the trades, crafts and industries, and everyday life of Edinburgh and its people from the late18th century to the present day.

Handling Objects

A variety of objects are lent out in the form of handling collections. These are administered by the Education and Outreach Service for schools and the People?s Story and the Museum of Childhood for reminiscence work. These are non-core collections and consist of non-accessioned duplicate items.