Westburn Park

Photographer George R Donaldson

Date1930s

Object NameNegative

Mediumglass

ClassificationsScience And Technology

DimensionsOverall: Height: 8.8 cm, Width: 6.2 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1992.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS022356.1

Keywords

About MeThis park which is situated north west of the city centre was opened in 1901. It was one of a number which the Council developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Situated within the grounds is Westburn House, designed by Archibald Simpson in 1839 and at one time the home of the Chalmers family, founders of the Aberdeen Journal. The park, with its mixture of open grass areas, tennis courts, bowling greens and pool, is more suited to leisure activities than to quite contemplation. Directly across from the Westburn Park is Victoria Park, first proposed in 1871. With its floral displays, shrubs and trees it is a place for sitting on a park bench watching the world go by. The parks movement was a Victorian initiative which sought to bring a hint of countryside to the city and in this way relieve some of the gloom and pressures associated with industry and town living. Parkland was designed to not only encourage physical wellbeing but also to give a moral and spiritual uplift to visitors.