HistoryOfTrust

A meeting was called as a result of discussions among members of the Civil Defence Services and of various organisations already working for the welfare of the community through social, charitable and cultural activities.

It was widely felt that the fine spirit of comradeship and mutual helpfulness shown by the people of Corstorphine District during the Second World War should be preserved after the War and made the basis of continued activities for the benefit of the District.

............. a local community and amenity association serving Corstorphine and the surrounding area.

Then on Wednesday 14th January 1970 a meeting was called inviting anyone interested to the Public Hall where the Corstorphine Trust was launched. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh addressed this meeting. The Corstorphine Trust was a Registered Charity and incorporated the Corstorphine District Association. The first Trust AGM followed this meeting that night with its newly elected Chairman Dr Ernest A. Cormack.

A move in 1971 into Dr. Cormack's vacated surgery at 199 St.John's Road gave the Trust its first Headquarters. Here the Trust started to gathered documents and artifacts that might otherwise have been destroyed.

In 1990, by means of Grants, Legacies, Donations etc. sufficient funds were accumulated to restore the interior of the Dower House (Gibson's Lodge), in St. Margaret’s Park. We were able to take over the premises on a long lease for the District Council in 1991.

The Aims of the Association / Trust have remained constant, dictated by concern for the well being of the citizens of Corstorphine. They are:-

a)	To stimulate public interest in and for the beauty, history and character of Corstorphine and District.
b)	To encourage the preservation, development and improvement of features of general public amenity or historic interest.
c)	To promote or support activities having for their aim - the welfare of the residents - the cultural or educational advancement of the residents - help for the sick aged and infirm
d)	To promote the collection, preservation and display of objects of historic and local interest which may be gifted to or acquired by or loaned to the Trust.
e)	To encourage high standards of architecture and town planning in Corstorphine and District.
f)	To pursue these ends by means of meetings, exhibitions, lectures, publications, conferences and publicity and the promotion of schemes of a charitable nature.

The list of objectives over the years is almost endless. Some were attained, and some were not; some are still very much alive e.g. Traffic!

Our present home, The Corstorphine Heritage Centre (The Dower House) is open between 10am and 12 noon on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

During this time you can visit the Museum, see the Archives, on the top floor and visit the Shop. On sale are publications, postcards, photographs and souvenirs and you can stop for coffee or tea.

Income is derived from membership fees, hire of rooms, sales, coffee mornings, legacies and donations. Support of the members is essential to meet expenditure on rent and upkeep of the building.

Since The Heritage Centre (Dower House) opened, the Trust has been successful in encouraging its use by the community. Many local clubs and organisations now find it comfortable and economical to use The Heritage Centre for meetings and functions

Junior Membership Youth Groups and schools are encouraged to use the facilities and develop their knowledge of the district and its environment after all they are our members of tomorrow.