The Wilson (Cheltenham) facts for kids
The Wilson is a popular art gallery and museum located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It first opened its doors in 1899 and offers free entry to everyone. The museum is known for its special exhibitions that change regularly. In 2013, it was renamed The Wilson to honor Edward Wilson, a famous explorer from Cheltenham who explored the polar regions. The building was also made bigger around this time. Today, The Cheltenham Trust manages the gallery and museum.
The museum is part of a beautiful old building on Clarence Street. This building was originally designed as the Cheltenham Public Library by an architect named William Hill Knight. He also designed other important buildings in Cheltenham, like the Cheltenham Synagogue.
Contents
Discovering The Wilson
A New Look for the Museum
In 2007, a special competition was held to find the best design for making the museum bigger. This competition was organized by RIBA Competitions. The goal was to create more space for the museum's amazing collection of Arts and Crafts items. A company called Berman Guedes Stretton won the competition. The new extension to the building was finished in 2012, giving the museum much more room to show its treasures.
Gifts and Growth
A long time ago, a man named Baron de Ferrieres, who used to be the Mayor of Cheltenham, gave 43 important paintings to the town. Most of these paintings were from Belgium and the Netherlands. He also gave £1,000 to help build a gallery where these paintings could be displayed. The museum officially opened in 1907 in a building next door that used to be a School of Art and Science. Later, in September 1989, a big new part of the building was opened by the Princess Royal. This is where the main entrance to the gallery is now.
What You Can See at The Wilson
The Arts and Crafts Collection
The Wilson is especially famous for its incredible Arts and Crafts collection. This collection includes beautiful furniture, textiles (like fabrics and carpets), ceramics (pottery), carvings, silver, and jewelry. This collection is so important that it has been given "Designated status," meaning it's recognized as a collection of international importance.
Cheltenham's Story and More
The museum also has many exhibits that tell the story of Cheltenham's own history. You can see paintings from the last four centuries, which means paintings from the 1600s all the way up to the 1900s. There are also collections from Asia, including pottery and traditional costumes. Plus, you can explore ancient treasures found by archaeologists in the nearby Cotswolds area.
The Edward Wilson Gallery
One special part of the museum is the Edward Wilson gallery. This gallery tells the story of Edward Wilson, the brave explorer from Cheltenham. He was an Antarctic explorer who went on an expedition to the South Pole with Captain Scott. Sadly, he passed away during that journey in 1912. The gallery helps visitors learn about his life and amazing adventures.
