Clan House is a two-storey white stone building, located at 24 Church Street, Galle. Clan House was constructed by John Black and Company, a British mercantile firm, who established themselves in Galle Fort in 1847. The company acted as the coal and shipping agency for the Clan Line shipping company. John Black (1819-1869), a Scotsman, was appointed as the first American Commercial Agent (Consul) in Ceylon in September 1850 and later became a member of the Galle Municipal Council. Following Black's death in February 1869 the company continued to operate under the management of his widow, Isabel, until her death in 1905.