McLean Museum and Art Gallery

The museum owes its origins to the Greenock Philosophical Society's burgeoning collection of artificial and natural curiosities which became a museum in 1816 as branch of the Society, housed in the Greenock library. When the Greenock Library changed location to the Watt Library, Society members added "autographs, maps, prints, coins, medals, and armour to the collection." The Society sent a report to local ship owners and masters to generate interest in the museum's collection in the hope of receiving donations. In 1863 work began on building a lecture hall and museum building, funded by local timber merchant James McLean (1802 1877), who was also a member of the Philosophical Society. The…

In 2016, Inverclyde Council closed the McLean Museum and Watt Library complex in order to undertake a £2 million refurbishment. The Council invested £1.8 million towards the refurbishment work alongside a £287,000 grant from Historic Environment Scotland. As part of the refurbishment, the gallery, museum, lecture hall and library were rebranded collectively as the Watt Institution, with access to and from the library now possible via the museum entrance on Kelly Street. The complex re-opened to visitors on 22 November 2019. The complex opens on Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm (having previously also been open on Mondays and Tuesdays). Admission is free. There is a lack of…