🗣💚 'I always feel a special interest in Govan and in the prosperity of its people.'
So said the mighty philanthropist Isabella Elder in 1884.
🙌🏾Isabella gave generously to improve the lives of people in Govan and Glasgow. She was passionate about women’s education 👩🏻🎓👩🎓, and the health and well-being of families.
📍In Govan alone, she funded:
--> A school for Domestic Economy
--> A building for the Cottage Nurses Training Home
--> A Cottage Hospital
--> Elder Park Library
--> Elder Park
⚓️In 1883 she bought a large piece of land across from what is now Fairfield Heritage/Shipyard. Her husband, John, had built it into one of the world's leading shipyards – and after his death in 1869 she ran the day-to-day operations for nine months.
🌳🌱Isabella gifted the land to the people of Govan as "a public park for the use and enjoyment – for healthful recreation, music & amusements, and for no other uses or purposes whatever.”
🌳 🌳🌿She named it *Elder Park* to honour her husband and father-in-law. Elder Park opened 137 years ago on 27th June 1885, and it still provides 'healthful recreation' for the people of Govan today!
🌹Her statue, in a Rose Garden in her park since 1906, was paid for by public donations.
🎨Isabella Elder will be featured in our upcoming mural in Govan – 🙏🏾 @SWG3glasgow for supporting our mural-ing.
You can get your very own copy of our WE CAN EDIT digital poster of Isabella (which we made for our #WikipediaWorkshops) free on Wiki Commons!
👇🏾👇👇🏼
www.tinyurl.com/IsabellaElder-Govan
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#deargreenplace#nature#park#photography#parklife#govan#library#shipbuilding#shipyard#glasgow#philanthropist#Education#health#nurses#elderpark#elderparklibrary#womenofscotland#womenshistory#herstory#mural#art