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Pier Arts Centre extension work
reveals glimpse of Stromness' past
The discovery of the windows in the gable confirms the earlier construction of no. 30 Victoria Street and offers an intriguing glimpse into Storminess' past. Site clearance has also revealed that the pier on which the long gallery of the Pier Arts Centre stands (formally a Hudson's Bay Company store) has been extended on at least four separate occasions. During an earlier phase of construction work a report was prepared by archaeologist Judith Robertson who monitored dating evidence during the geotechnical survey of the site prior to the construction of the foundations for the new gallery. Her report concluded that "the walls were constructed using entirely local, easily accessible materials and, with the presence of re-used timbers, may have been built rapidly. The foundations are more robust due to the load bearing function and probably acted as the original waterfront." Neil Firth, Director of the Pier Arts Centre said: "As part of our initial investigation work we looked at lots of early photographs and it is clear from these that even over the last 125 years there have been a great many changes in this small corner of Stromness. "The south gable of no. 30 Victoria Street, which has been the street gallery of the Pier Arts Centre for more than 25 years, offers a glimpse further back in time, perhaps as far as the 17th century. "The details of the gable, including the composition of the lime mortar have been recorded prior to the continuation of construction work on the new building which will form part of an extended and rejuvenated Pier Arts Centre." |
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