A gold key given to a Fife philanthropist who opened a local theatre is going on show to mark the venue’s refurbishment.
Andrew Carnegie, from Dunfermline, opened the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy on October 11, 1899.
He was presented with one of two gold keys that were given out when the venue was inaugurated,
The other was given to the widow of Kirkcaldy linoleum manufacturer Michael Beveridge, who funded the theatre’s construction.
Both keys are to be reunited for the first time in over 120 years.
They are set to go on display at Kirkcaldy Galleries to mark the Adam Smith Theatre's recent £7.8 million makeover, which has taken three years to complete.
It will also be the first time Carnegie's key has been displayed in over 10 years.
(A programme for the event in 1899)
Crafted by local jeweller Alex Constable, the keepsakes were not keys to the theatre itself but decorative items bearing Kirkcaldy’s coat of arms and inscriptions to each recipient.
Speaking at the opening in 1899, Carnegie declared the venue ‘suitable for concerts, charades, private theatricals, meetings of philanthropic committees, lectures upon interesting and instructive topics and entertainments of all kinds’.
Accepting his ceremonial key from Mrs Elizabeth Beveridge, Carnegie said: “This key, presented in any circumstances, would have been precious beyond price.
“Coming, madame, from you, the honoured wife of one of the benefactors of Kirkcaldy, I assure you this key must ever derive and retain tenfold value and (will be) handed down in our family as one of its most precious heirlooms.”
Carneigie was also also given the Freedom of the Burgh of Kirkcaldy at the ceremony.
The Adam Smith Theatre was opened to honour the influential economist and philosopher, who was born in Kirkcaldy 300 years ago.
(Image shows the cast of The Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan, taken at the theatre in November 1899 – one month after the venue’s opening. Image: OnFife)
It was used during the two world wars, housing members of the Highland Cyclist Battalion, as well as Polish troops billeted in Fife to bolster coastal defence.
Famous names including David Bowie, Tommy Cooper, James McAvoy and Gordon Brown have taken to its stage.
As part of the recent refurbishment, a sculpture of him by Italian artist Baron Carlo Marochetti will be on permanent display in the refurbished foyer.
The marble bust is part of the extensive art collection managed by cultural charity OnFife, which runs the theatre – now transformed into a multi-purpose creative hub.
The theatre reopens on Saturday.
OnFife’s Collections Team Leader Gavin Grant said: “The theatre’s reopening is a wonderful opportunity to reunite the two presentation keys for the first time since 1899.
“We’re delighted that visitors to Kirkcaldy Galleries can view these significant objects from the town's history over the coming year.”
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