​People are being welcomed through the doors of what is probably one of Inverclyde's most beautiful buildings again as the government imposed lockdown is eased.

Staff at the Watt Institution will, no doubt, have their work cut out for them as they document a local account of the pandemic that has spread across the world.

In a sign of a return to normality, the museum is seeing visitors again after the lengthy closure. Here we take a look back to some fun pictures taken there in past years.

Pic1:

​Local culture vultures were treated to a one-off exhibition created by costume designer Alicia McNeill after she discovered the museum's treasure trove of vintage clothes. The Californian post-graduate student stumbled across the collection of over 300 costumes and accessories during her university placement at the McLean Museum and Art Gallery and set up a successful project to display them for all to see.

Pic2:

Iconic Port Glasgow artist Jimmy Watt donated this stunning painting as a special thank-you to the area which set him on the way to a successful career.

Mr Watt's the work named 'Greenock' was unveiled by Inverclyde Provost Robert Moran back in 2015.

Pic3:

Of course, young minds are always impressed with a visit to the museum and this youngster from Wellpark Children's Centre new exactly what to do for the camera when he encountered these lions housed on the upper floor of the Watt Institution. The visiting kids had a great time marveling at the many large and strange creatures displayed there and were happy to help make some memorable pictures from their day of discovery.

Pic4:

Museum curator Vince Gillen welcomed the Tele camera in celebration of the paper's 105th anniversary in 2007.

Vince has always made sure that the many goings-on in the museum are featured in the Telegraph and he was very happy to pose up for this picture beside a case containing the remains of a German bomb, one of the many fine museum exhibits connected with the Greenock Blitz of May, 1941.

Pic5:

​A priceless Egyptian bass-relief block from the Great Temple of Bast seemed the perfect prop for a picture telling the story of the retiring curator Val Boa after 40 years of service.

Val received many cards, gifts and goodwill messages from well-wishers and left on a high, following the James Watt bicentenary celebrations in 2019 and the renovation of the McLean Museum, art gallery and Watt Library before they would become known as the Watt Institution.