Elmbank House, a large villa built in 1792, was previously located on this site and the property gave its name to the street. In the late 19th century, the house was the residence of the Sheriff. Following the erection of a new Sheriff Hall in the centre of burgh, the Burgh Council decided to house a bequest of books in the villa.
James Dick gifted the funds for the new building, and some of the collection in memory of his brother. Dick was the successful son of a Kilmarnock merchant. Together with his brother, he had established a very lucrative business that manufactured longer-lasting rubber boots.
The Dick Institute was built at the turn of the 20th century, to designs by R. S Ingram, to house both a library and a museum for the burgh. In 1909 the building was damaged by fire and much of the collection, including material from the Hunter Selkirk Collection, was lost. Rebuilt in 1910, to a classical design by Ingram and Brown, the building was re-opened in 1911.
In 1917 the building was requisitioned for use as an auxiliary hospital. Three rooms and two galleries were used as wards and the art gallery was utilised as a games room. Following the end of the First World War, it resumed its intended function.
Within the building there is a square stairwell with tiled entrance floor; timber panelled corridor leading to libraries to left and right; art galleries behind; museum space at 1st floor.
The architect, R S Ingram, was the eldest son of James Ingram, a very popular and successful Kilmarnock architect. Robert Ingram was born in 1841. He received his training with his father before eventually succeeding to the family practice in 1879.
Other works by Robert Ingram in the area include the Kilmarnock Academy and Loanhead Street School. He was a very prolific architect in Kilmarnock in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The Dick Institute is a B listed building together with properties at 10, 12 and 14 London Road. Date of Listing 09-MAR-1971.
Note. It was believed that the entire Hunter Selkirk Collection had been lost in the fire in 1909. However, in 1980, an extensive herbarium and other materials were found in storage at the Carnegie Library in Ayr, together with material from the Alexander Collection that had been displayed at Belleisle House.. It is not known how the material reached Ayr.
Photograph: 2009
Building information from Historic Scotland.
For further information about the Hunter Selkirk Collectionon the Future Museum website, please follow this LINK
For further information about the Dick Institute please follow this LINK
For further information about the Hunter Selkirk gift to the Dick Institute (from a contemporary source) please follow this LINK