Basic Site Details

Name: Musselburgh Town House
Town, district or village: Musselburgh
City or county: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes: The Town House is attached to the earlier Tolbooth (see separate entry) and shares a common stair and porch.

MUSSELBURGH - At a meeting of Musselburgh Town Council, held on Tuesday, Provost Whitelaw reminded his colleagues that the acceptance of estimates for the reconstruction of the municipal buildings had been held over till after the election, and now, after such a distinct pronouncement had been made by the ratepayers of the town, he moved that no estimates be accepted, and that no action be taken in regard to the reconstruction of the municipal buildings in the meantime. He deplored the necessity to make such a motion, but they must bow to the will of the ratepayers. This was unanimously agreed to; all previous resolutions were formally rescinded; and the clerk instructed to get in all accounts incurred in connection with the plans etc, so that the matter could be settled at once. [Building News 15 November 1901 Page 674]

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 1Musselburgh Municipal Buildings With adjacent Tolbooth - as referred to in 'Builder' at time of competition in 1900

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Town hall  

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 1High StreetYes 

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 61762   
Item 2 of 61875  Alterations
Item 3 of 61885  Renovation
Item 4 of 63 April 18999 July 1901 Dates between which Town Council Minutes discuss work on hall
Item 5 of 619001901 Hall at rear
Item 6 of 61902  Scheme abandoned and Constable paid off.

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 3William Constable  19001901Won competition for hall at rear (£25 premium) and secured job
Item 2 of 3Findlay & Roques B1900 Second premiated competition design for hall at rear (£15 premium)
Item 3 of 3Lyle & Constable A1901 Won competition for hall at rear (£25 premium) and secured job

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Harper, Roger H1983Victorian Architectural Competitions: An Index to British and Irish Architectural Competitions… London: Mansell Publishing 
Item 2 of 3McWilliam, Colin1978Lothian (The Buildings of Scotland)  p335
Item 3 of 3RCAHMS1996Tolbooths and Town-Houses: Civic Architecture in Scotland to 1833 London: The Stationery Officep150

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4British Architect22 March 1901  p200
Item 2 of 4British Architect13 June 1902  p414 Scheme abandoned and Constable paid off.
Item 3 of 4BuilderLate 1900LXXIX p464
Item 4 of 4Building News15 November 1901  p674

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 2Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register38308 
Item 2 of 2Location not specified by RCAHMSMusselburgh Town Council Minutes 3 April 1899-9 July 1901