The People's Story Museum is a museum housed in the historic Canongate Tolbooth, which houses collections telling the story of the working-class people of Edinburgh from the late 18th century to the present day. This is done through use of oral history, reminiscence and written sources.
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.
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.
Accessibility
Level access
The main entrance has level access. The ramp is permanent.
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Access with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to second floor, exhibition space and third floor video room.
Hearing
We have a hearing loop in the video room on the 3rd floor.
Visual
We have information in large print. Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
General
There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
