Gracey Collection

The Gracey Collection of photographs consists of pictures taken by Mr William Arthur Gracey from the 1950s to the 1970s. Mr Gracey lived at 32 Windsor Avenue in Lurgan and had a shop at 13 Union Street, trading under the name of Paton which was his mother's maiden name. Mr Gracey was a radio officer in the Merchant Navy during World War Two and saw service in many different regions.

In his spare time he would take his bicycle and tour the countryside around Lurgan, Moira, Hillsborough, Lough Neagh and Gilford, recording on film the changing landscape, buildings and people of the area. The slow pace of the bicycle allowed William Gracey to observe the landscape on his travels and his photographs give a superb insight into the way of life of people in the area. Now, many of the small side streets of Lurgan and traditions have disappeared but are not forgotten thanks to the images from Mr Gracey's Work. The Gracey Collection photographs are contained in albums, which have been hand made by Mr Gracey from bits of leather and pieces of material and card. The collection was donated to Craigavon Museum Services by Dr. J.F. Gracey when Mr Gracey passed away.