| Administrative History | Since 1971 The Wick Society has worked tirelessly to promote the history and heritage of Wick. Concern about the changing landscape and extensive demolition in the town led a group of like-minded people to call a meeting. The core group- Iain Sutherland, Mary Cabrelli, Marjory Mackenzie, and Jessie Sinclair resolved to establish the Wick Society.
In 1974 the Society set up a small museum within the Carnegie Public Library building. This depicted the coopering trade, and the success of the exhibition gave members of the Society confidence to expand.
Caithness County Council offered the lease of listed buildings in Bank Row to the Wick Society in 1980. Repairs and alterations were made to the buildings, the electrical system was upgraded, and the gardens were landscaped.
Wick Heritage Centre opened its doors in 1981. Iain Sutherland, The Wick Society’s founding chairperson said 'The cooperation between the district council and the society, who were often at loggerheads over redevelopment, is unique. As we both recognised in our different ways, there was a need to preserve the town’s rich history. The Heritage Centre is an outstanding and rewarding result of what real cooperation between citizens and a council can do'.
On the 4 Feb 2002, the Wick Society bought the land and buildings to the East of the Heritage Centre to enable continuing development.
On the 6 Jan 2004, the Wick Society became a Company Limited by Guarantee, and the Wick Heritage Centre became The Wick Heritage Museum. The same year the Society purchased the museum buildings from the council for a nominal sum.
The Wick Society is committed to preserving and promoting Wick's proud heritage for the inspiration of future generations. Today the Wick Society has under its wing a number of historic buildings and collections including Wick Heritage Museum, Cowie’s Yard, the Herring Mart, Lifeboat Shed, the Johnston Photographic Collection, the traditional Fifie fishing vessel the Isabella Fortuna, and Wick Voices oral history project. |