Exhibition to mark 50 years since town museum opened

The exhibition will trace the history of the museum, which was established to house a wealth of significant Roman artefacts that were unearthed in Ilkley in the late 19th century.

People will be able to relive the museum’s colourful past and get a better understanding of what the world was like when it opened in 1961.

Visitors will be able to look out for vibrant historical fashions, paintings by some of the artists who originally exhibited at the gallery, colourful samurai costumes and archaeological objects from the local area.

The exhibition will open at the Bradford Council-owned venue on Friday next week, which is 50 years to the day since it opened to the public. It will run until Sunday, September 4.

People will also be able to discover how the museum building was saved from demolition in 1955, when local entrepreneur Percy Dalton donated it to the community, what the rooms originally looked like, and who helped shape the popular and well loved venue as it is today.

Bradford Council’s executive member responsible for culture, Coun David Green, said: “This exhibition will celebrate Manor House Museum and Art Gallery’s fascinating past, its vital role in supporting contemporary artists, and its reputation in exhibiting artefacts of local and national importance.

“I am sure it will remain a vital community asset for another 50 years and beyond.”

A number of celebratory events are being planned to mark the anniversary year. To keep informed of them as they are announced, visit www.bradfordmuseums.org

The museum’s current collection of archeologically important objects, which is exhibited in rotation, includes neolithic arrowheads and Anglo-Saxon carved sandstone blocks. It has also hosted touring exhibits from artists such as Francis Bacon and Barbara Hepworth.

Located on the site of the Roman fort of Olicana, Manor House Museum was established in 1892 to preserve local archaeological artefacts.

It reopened in its current building in 1961.