Terence (Terry) Murphy.
Low Parks
Hamilton Town Centre’s Oldest Building.
The Low Parks Museum c. 1950 (Without Rendering On Building).
The Low Parks Museum is the oldest building in the town centre of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is a Grade A British Listed Building! Located at 129 Muir Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, which was the former Low Parks of the Duke Of Hamilton’s Estates. The building was originally known as “Portland” and was built in 1696. It was the private home of David Crawford, the secretary and lawyer to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton.
Later in 1784 the 8th Duke of Hamilton purchased the building and it became a coaching inn called the “Hamilton Arms” Inn. The inn was an important stop for travellers visiting Hamilton Palace and the Falls Of The Clyde.
The building is in fact the oldest recorded pub in Hamilton and functioned as an inn providing food, drink and accommodation for travellers up until 1835. When the Duke converted the building into his estate offices. It served this function until 1963. It was then purchased by the town council , who opened it as the first burgh museum in 1967.
The Low Parks Museum c. 2016 (with rendering).
The Low Parks Museum front view c. 2016.
The second building to the rear of the right-hand side of the Museum is the former Hamilton Palace Riding School. It is also a Grade A British Listed Building! and was built in 1837 by Alexander Hamilton 10th Duke of Hamilton dubbed “El Magnifico”. During the 1920’s-1930’s the Riding School housed a gymnasium and regulation boxing ring and became “The Douglas And Clydesdale Amateur Boxing Club” and was founded by the Marquis of Douglas & Clydesdale who was the Duke of Hamilton’s son! Nicknamed “The Boxing Marquis” he was a keen skilled boxer at Oxford University. He later became the 14th Duke of Hamilton (Douglas Douglas-Hamilton). Since 1983 the former Riding School Building has served as a Regimental Museum and was acquired by the Scottish Rifles (Regimental Trustees of the Cameronians).
The Former Riding School for Hamilton Palace
now the Regimental Museum c. 2016.
Cigarette manufacturer advertisement for the “Boxing Marquis” .
The Boxing Marquis with his Trainer Dick Smith.
The Boxing Marquis sparring with Eddie Eagan
(American Olympic Boxer 1903-1973).
Written by
Hamilton Historian.
Terence (Terry) Murphy.
Ref: Low Parks Museum/SLC Museums Website and Wikipedia.
Good Duchess Anne.
Anne Hamilton, the 3rd Duchess of Hamilton was born on the 6th January c. 1631 and died on the 17th October c. 1716. She was responsible for rebuilding Hamilton Palace and contributing to the re-development of the town of Hamilton in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The Duchess was born at Whitehall Palace in London. She was the Daughter of the 1st Duke of Hamilton; Sir James Hamilton and his Wife; Lady Margaret (or Mary) Fielding. The Duke was one of King Charles I’s Advisors. Anne’s Mother Lady Margaret, who was Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta-Maria and Queen-Consort of King Charles I died when Anne was only six years old! So, her Father sent her to Hamilton Palace to be raised by his Mother. During the Wars of Three Kingdoms, Anne had reached the age of 18 and it was around this time her father Sir James Hamilton (the 1st Duke of Hamilton) was executed c. 1649. His titles/estates were left to William, Earl of Lanark who was his younger brother.
William, Earl of Lanark ( 2nd Duke ) died during c. 1657 due to wounds he sustained at the Battle of Worcester. In his will he stated that his estates should be left to Anne Hamilton and that she should become the Duchess of Hamilton in her own right! She was also made Marchioness of Clydesdale, Countess of Arran, Lanark and Cambridge and The Lady Aven, Innerdale, Machanside and Polmont. By age 20 she was one of the most wealthy and powerful women in Scotland. She even had a distant claim to the throne of Scotland. Titles and property meant nothing during the early years of being a Duchess. Because many of the estates she inherited were confiscated due to debts that incurred from the war her Father and Uncle died in. Her male relative “The Earl of Abercorn” had also disputed her inheritance of the Hamilton Title around the same time.
Anne married William Douglas, 1st Earl of Selkirk (who was Catholic) at Corstorphine Kirk c. 1656. They successfully cleared her debts and reclaimed the estates and also managed to establish her rights to the title “3rd Duchess of Hamilton”. King Charles II made Anne’s Husband William Douglas “The Duke of Hamilton”, for Life. The Duke and Duchess had 13 children together. They also began developing Hamilton Palace which widely became recognised as the most largest private residence in the Western Hemisphere.
The 3rd Duke of Hamilton, William Douglas died in c. 1694. Duchess Anne continued to re-develop and improve Hamilton Palace and the Town of Hamilton. She had a New Grammar School, Hospital (Later “Alms House”), Woolen Factory and Spinning School built. In later years she became an opponent of the 1707 Act of Union. In c. 1716 she died aged 85 and was originally buried at Hamilton’s Old Collegiate Church (next to Hamilton Palace at the Low Parks). The reinterment of her remains is not documented! But I have my own theory about this, Please refer to my other history article titled: ” Hamilton’s Holy Grail: The Douglas-Hamilton Bloodline & Possible Graves Site.”. Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton will forever be remembered as; ” Good Duchess Anne “!
Written by
Hamilton Historian.
Terence (Terry) Murphy.
Ref. Anne Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton]Wikipedia.
Hamilton Historian. Terry Murphy 