John Neilson Institution

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The John Neilson Institution, or the Porridge bowl as its affectionately known, is now converted into flats, however its start in life was somewhat different. John Neilson of Nethercommon (1778 – 1839) had been a successful grocer in the town. In 1839, before he died, he set up a trust deed to build and endow a school. By 1852 a school had been built on the site of a bowling green (formerly a roman outpost), to the design of Charles Wilson. To gain entry boy pupils had to have lived in Paisley for three years and their parents had to either be poor or dead. In 1900 the school gained a gold medal at the Paris exhibition for its educational exhibit. By 1978 the school was closed and converted to flats. Inside in the entrance hall there is a magnificent statue of Greek philosopher Diogenes by local sculptor Alexander Stoddart. #1849 #1852 #bowl #britain #british #cammys #charles #dome #flats #Institution #intstitute #John #kingdom #Neilson #oakshaw #outpost #paisley #pudding #renfrewshire #roman #sandstone #school #scotland #scottish #uk #united #victorian #wilson