Lord Robert's Workshop and Blindcraft, Dundee (formerly the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind)

• Reference:GB 254 MS 319
• Dates of Creation:1837-2010
• Name of Creator:
  Lord Robert's Workshop/Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind/ Blindcraft
• Physical Description:
  8 metres

• Scope and Content

  Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind/Blindcraft: Accident register 1958-1965, log book 1946-1966, annual reports 1870-1929, 1932-1945 and 1967-1968, slides (2 trays of 35 mm slides and box of large format slides n.d., published volumes 1884-?; correspondence early 20th C, admissions certificates early 20th C, Gospel According to Luke in Braille c 1930s." Reports & Minutes 1872-1968, Finance & Stock 1896-1980, Constitution & Rules 1910-1940, Administration & Correspondence 1886-1993, Photographs & Negatives c 20th Century, Newspaper Articles & Sketches c 20th century Lord Roberts Workshop: Advisory committee minutes 1943-1955, exhibition boards n.d., minutes 1923-1949, 1961-1972, directors' and officials' attendance books 1923-1993, magazine - Forces Help Society and Lord Roberts Workshop Gazette and Annual Reports 1982-1991, manager's reports 1968-1985, directors' minutes 1919-1933 and 1949-1961, Central Scottish Area Committee minutes 1919-1961;" Minutes 1919-1992, Reports, Administration & Finance 1929-1992, Publications 1924-2010, Photographs & Negatives c 20th century Articles and Publications 1837-1932

• Administrative / Biographical History

  The Dundee Institution for the Blind can trace its origin to 1865 when Mr Frances Mollison purchased Dallfield House in order to establish an institution for the blind. In 1869 it finally opened as the Dundee Institution for the Blind and it provided work, support and education for men and women who were blind or partially blind.
  In 1885 the new building on Magdalen Green was opened and in 1916 it was renamed the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind.
  The name was changed again in 1986 to Royal Dundee Blindcraft. The products thus reflecting its increasingly commercial nature.
  In the 1920s, a Lord Roberts Workshop was established in Dundee to provide employment for disabled ex-servicemen. Although the Lord Roberts Workshop and the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind both primarily made furniture they were independent from each other until 1993 when they amalgamated. The new company was called Dovetail Enterprises and based itself in a new factory unit in Dunsinane Avenue in the Dunsinane Industrial Estate in Dundee.

• Arrangement

  Usually chronological within series.

• Access Information

  Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act (2018), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) and any other relevant legislation or restrictions. Clinical information is closed for 100 years.

• Note

  The Dundee Institution for the Blind can trace its origin to 1865 when Mr Frances Mollison purchased Dallfield House in order to establish an institution for the blind. In 1869 it finally opened as the Dundee Institution for the Blind and it provided work, support and education for men and women who were blind or partially blind.
  In 1885 the new building on Magdalen Green was opened and in 1916 it was renamed the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind.
  The name was changed again in 1986 to Royal Dundee Blindcraft. The products thus reflecting its increasingly commercial nature.
  In the 1920s, a Lord Roberts Workshop was established in Dundee to provide employment for disabled ex-servicemen. Although the Lord Roberts Workshop and the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind both primarily made furniture they were independent from each other until 1993 when they amalgamated. The new company was called Dovetail Enterprises and based itself in a new factory unit in Dunsinane Avenue in the Dunsinane Industrial Estate in Dundee.

• Other Finding Aids

  Descriptive list.

• Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

  The records are on paper / negatives / photographs / 35mm slides

• Archivist's Note

  Description compiled by Karyn Williamson, archive volunteer, 07/01/2011. Revised by Rosanna McQueen Stickels, volunteer 2011/2012

• Conditions Governing Use

  Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges may be made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply; please check with the Duty Archivist.

• Custodial History

  The items were rescued by Gladys Noble from being destroyed, and she managed to keep them safe for a number of years on the Dovetail premises. The storage area where they were held was in the part of the Dovetail building that was to be rented out so the items could no longer remain where they were. At this point they were donated to the University of Dundee Archive Services.

• Accruals

  Not expected

• Additional Information

  Published

  Catalogued

  MS 319

• Subjects

  Employment

  Visual impairment

  Industry