Baird Institute, 3 Lugar StreetJohn BAIRD was born in 1813, at Lugar Street, Cumnock, where his father David kept the Tup Inn. When his father died, John Baird inherited a considerable amount of property in Lugar Street.When John Baird retired he disposed of his drapery business to John GOLDIE who continued the trade.
John Baird died on 27th July, 1888 in his 76th year and is buried at the old cemetery. In his will, John Baird made a bequest that his estate be used to provide a public building in Cumnock which would contain a museum, recreation and reading rooms on the land owned by him in Lugar Street, known as Baird`s Place.
The Baird Institute was opened on March 2nd, 1891, by Mrs. BRAKENRIDGE, wife of the Town Clerk, providing a great improvement to the cultural and recreational facilities of Cumnock. The building was designed by Mr. INGRAM of Kilmarnock, the son of John Baird`s early instructor in engineering drawing. The building is in the Scottish Baronial style of architecture standing about 30 feet back from Lugar street. It is constructed from pink sandstone quarried at Auchinleck.
Originally, the building contained: a museum, reading room, billiards room; cloakroom, toilets, keeper`s house in the basement and was maintained by trustees appointed in John Baird`s will. All rooms were illuminated by gas lighting, each containing an Irish white marble fireplace with the exception of the billiards room which contained a magnificent Italian black and gold marble fireplace.
After 1972
Trustees administered the Baird Institute until 1972 when it was transferred to the ownership of the local authority, Cumnock Burgh, because the Trustees felt they no longer had adequate funds to maintain and administer the building and they were of the opinion that the continued use of the building was desirable as a service to the community. After local Government reorganisation in 1975 the Baird Institute became the
responsibility of Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council, and is now the responsibility of East Ayrshire Council.
A major refurbishment was carried out to bring the building up to modern standards and in 1980 Cumnock and Doon Valley District Library Service undertook to lay-out and arrange the museum exhibition rooms within the Baird Institute. An annual acquisition fund was established for the museum to enable artefacts to be purchased which were of local historical significance.
In November 1993, the building re-opened as the Baird Institute, History Centre and Museum. From April 1996 the Baird Institute became the responsibility of East Ayrshire Council. The Baird Institute contains a wide range of resources which relate to the history of East Ayrshire - archives, family history material, books, maps, microfilm, museum collections, newspapers and photographs. The Keir Hardie Room and art or historical exhibitions can be viewed throughout the year at the Baird Institute.
2009
In 2009 the Baird Institute opened again after major refurbishment and is now an Arts and Museum venue with displays of local material and a programme of exhibitions. It is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 till 5 and can be contacted at 01290 427084 during these hours.
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Baird Institute in Lugar Street
John Baird
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