The People's Story gives an unique insight in to Edinburgh's working class people from the 18th century to the late 20th century. The displays include tableaux, original objects, images and personal stories to reveal their fascinating history of the city.
The collection focuses on the history, culture, crafts and trades, and the people of Edinburgh but also as a place to explore more contemporary issues, events and opinions.
What makes the museum stand out is that all of the displays are based around the words of Edinburgh’s people, taken from oral history reminiscences and written sources to tell real stories. The collections reflect this with objects ranging from Friendly Society regalia, banners and material relating to Edinburgh’s diverse communities.
Explore
Collection highlights include:
Banners for street protests, social, political reform movements and trade unions. There are a number of significant objects relating to Edinburgh trades including a Lockit Buik and documents from the guilds. Collections relating to crime and punishment in the 18th and 19th century are also well represented.
The museum displays have a vintage feel, re-creating scenes of daily life, from work, home and leisure. You can see displays including a bookbinder’s workshop, wartime kitchen, tea room and jail cell.The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s people from the late 18th century to present times. Housed in the Canongate Tollbooth, a Royal Mile landmark built in 1591, the building itself had numerous incarnations including conducting burgh affairs, collecting taxes and as a jail.
The People's Story Museum Access Guide
Click on the link below to download our comprehensive access guide and find out how you can get to and around the People's Story Museum.
People's Story Museum BSL Tour
For all accessibility enquiries please contact the venue on:
+44 (0) 131 529 4057
museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk
Family Sensory Backpacks
Our vision is to mainstream the range of services for all autistic visitors, their families and carers, across all ages in the City of Edinburgh. Our sensory packs are now available for anyone visiting who is neurodivergent or has additional support needs (ASN). It's our mission to make our venues user-friendly for all. We have launched sensory backpacks in the People's Story Museum for families to borrow and use during their visit. The pack contains:
- Ear Defenders
- A range of Fidget Toys
- Notepad and Drawing Pencil
- Emotion Cards
Please ask at reception desks to borrow the pack during your visit to the museum. The People's Story Museum has one backpack.
This is not a museum about the great and good of Edinburgh, but about the lives of ordinary working people and the poverty they endured. Taxidevil, Glasgow
The People's Story Museum is a 3 star museum
