Book Borrowing

Cheltenham Library is an impressive building and I've had several photos of the place for a while now. I've been trying to find out a bit of the buildings history before posting the photos but I seem to have drawn a blank. I'll tell you what I know.

The permanent building, at the junction of Clarence Street and St Georges Place, replaced the temporary Free Library on the High Street. The Free Library opened in October 1884 and three years later the foundation stone of the current library was being laid. The new Library was designed by William Henry Knight and was opened on 24th April 1889. It boasts columns, balustrades, carvings, statues and a tower. The Library is attached to the Art Gallery and Museum, part of which is in the Library building.

Below is a photograph from the opening of the Library in 1889.

The other photos I've taken show more of the buildings detail. I'll post these when I find out more of the Library's history!

Art Gallery & Museum

Here it is then, Cheltenham's Art Gallery & Museum. Not very large, or even impressive to look at, but inside its very interesting. The Art Gallery was built in 1899, adjoining the Library on the left, after former Cheltenham Member of Parliament Baron de Ferrieres gave his collection of 43 old master paintings to the town. In 1907 a Museum was opened on the top floor. Although the building is the original I think the front must have been remodelled as it seems a bit too modern for 1907! (I've just checked - it was replaced with an extension in 1989.) Its free to visit the Gallery and inside there are numerous exhibitions and displays including an excellent history of Cheltenham, Dutch artwork, Jewellery and Costumes, and the award winning Arts and Crafts exhibit. The Museum links into the Library, giving more space for display, although a lot of the artifacts are in storage and can be viewed by appointment. Last year the Gallery ran a competition to design a new extension to the building, to be built to the right of the photo, replacing an area used as a meeting room. See the winning design at http://www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk/buildingforanewfuture/winner.html. Through its 100 year history the Art Gallery & Museum has had its successes and its failings but the future looks bright. I can't wait to see inside the new look building once construction is completed!