Accrington, The Haworth Art Gallery c.1945

Photo ref: A19009

More about this scene

Hollins Hill was built in 1909 by William Haworth, as a home for himself and his sister Anne. The house was designed by the eminent architect, Walter Brierley of York (who also designed Dyke Nook, the home of the Blake family on Whalley Road). Built on the south side of the town in over 13 acres of park, Hollins Hill commanded a fine view of the hills. The formal rose garden was reputed to be one of the finest in Lancashire. The house imitates Tudor Architecture and the oak panelling and the oak staircase rank amongst the important features of the building. Carvings of flowers, animals and birds indicate William and Anne's love of nature. In 1871 William Haworth had joined his father Thomas in the family cotton business; Thomas was a major employer and owned several mills. Twenty years later, William succeeded his father as head of the company, and expanded and improved the business. Sadly, William died in 1913 so was not able to enjoy the pleasures of such a fine house for very long. After his death Anne, along with her companion and staff continued to live there. Anne died in 1920 and Hollins Hill was bequeathed to the Corporation of Accrington for use as an art gallery. In September 1921, the house, renamed the Haworth Art Gallery, opened as the town's first public art gallery. In 1942 the gallery closed for the duration of the war and the pictures, together with several items from the museum at Clayton-le-Moors, were put into store. Contingency plans were made to utilise the gallery as an emergency hospital in case the Victoria Hospital was put out of action by enemy attacks and a system of fire watching was begun. Fortunately these plans came to nothing and the gallery began to be used as a hostel where off-duty service women, posted to this area, could spend their leisure time. The gallery reopened to the public in June 1945. Nowadays the gallery has achieved world-wide fame as the home of the largest collection of Tiffany glass in Europe.