Langworthy Gallery, Peel Park Museum and Library, Crescent, Salford

In early 1875 Salford Museum Committee decided to set aside £6,000 of the late Mr E R Langworthy’ bequest for the erection of a new wing at the west end of the present buildings, and invited architects to compete in suggesting a suitable building, not to exceed that amount. To this invitation nine architects responded, of which, with the exception of one residing in London and one in Leicester, all are resident in Manchester, via Barker and Eilis, Asahel P. Bell, Owen Edwards, H. Lord, J. Lowe, Tate and Popplewell, and J. S. Whittington. The designs and arrangements of the new wing were similar nearly all cases, as the instructions required a picture gallery, a reading-room. and an entrance from the south end, but the details of construction and exterior aspect varied greatly. The Museum Committee, being guided by the professional knowledge of the Borough Engineer (Mr. Fowler), made a selection of four of the designs, and ultimately adopted the design by Mr. Henry Lord who had already designed and built the Branch Library in Regent Road. This design is only adopted conditional to its being built for the sum of £6,000, and in case it cannot be guaranteed to be built for that sum another selection will be made. It is the opinion of all professional men that none of the designs can be built for £6,000; but the one which comes nearest that sum is reported by the Borough Engineer to be the one by Barker and Ellis.

The design by Mr. Lord presents an elevation to the west in keeping with the character of the present Museum buildings, but with more stonework to the heads of the seven windows, which light the ground floor, consisting of the new reading-room and entrance hall; the basement is only half utilised, the south end being made into a continuation of the present geological room. Jn the centre of the basement is an arched gateway leading to the area that will be enclosed when this new wing is erected. The roof and lanthorn lights to the new gallery are copied from the present building. The south end presents a stone portico, about 30 feet from the ground, of six columns, supporting arches, with a balcony over, to which there appears to be no way of access from the building, and the doorway is approached by a flight of steps and dado. The upper portion of the front is varied with a series of arched recesses, a small pediment to terminate the roof, and minor ornaments in stone. The north end presents a circular projecting window, lighting the reading-room with a balcony over, having a window of access from the gallery above. This will give an excellent point for a view over the park. The upper part is arranged like that of the south front. The non-joining of the roofs of the old and new parts at both ends will have a break which in the drawings has a very awkward look and will be unpleasant if carried out. The plan shows a room on the basement 44 feet by 35 feet with an opening into the geological room. The northern half is not utilised. On the ground floor a reading-room, 73 feet by 35 feet; entrance hall. 35 feet by 2S feet, having access to the present reading room, which it is intended to make into a library—and into the sculpture room with entrance door from the south. On the first floor is showna picture gallery, 103 feet by 35 feet, divided by pilasters into seven bays, having openings leading into the present galleries, by which additions there will be a length of about 265 feet of continuous picture gallery. The levels of the new are made to agree with the old building, so there are no new stairs required, and the architectural details within the rooms do not differ greatly from the present.  [Manchester Guardian 14 May 1875 page 6]

THE EXTENSION OF THE PEEL PARK MUSEUM, SALFORD - At a special meeting of the Salford Town Council, held on the 1st inst., Alderman M'Kerrow, in moving that Mr. Lord, the architect, be permitted to take out the quantities for the extension of the museum building, subject to his including the amount to be charged for the same in the £6,000, said that the park committee had repeatedly expressed their determination not to spend more than £6,000 out of the £10,000 which had been left for the purposes of the extension, and yet they had selected plans which would cost £1,000 more than the amount contemplated. Mr. Lord, the architect, would receive the usual commission, but it was now proposed, in addition, that he should be allowed 2.5 per cent, - which represented from £150 to £200, for taking out the quantities. An amendment to the effect that the resolution of the museum and library committee of the 27th of July be approved, except that part which required Mr. Lord to include the amount for taking out quantities in the £6,000 be rescinded, was carried by 29 to 8.  [Builder 18 September 1875 page 850]

THE SALFORD MUSEUM AND FREE LIBRARIES - Early in the year the committee took into consideration the best way for extending the buildings by aid of Mr. Langworthy's bequest for that purpose; and, after much deliberation upon the merits the designs which seemed best meet the views the committee, that of Mr. Henry Lord, of Salford, was selected to be carried out, provided that it was shown the satisfaction of the committee that it could be erected for £6,000, the amount fixed as the maximum cost of the intended extension of the museum buildings. The architect has since completed the working drawings, and prepared the quantities; but the committee deemed that it would be prudent to postpone until next spring applying for builders' tenders for the work. In the realisation of this extension both the museum and the library will reap a great advantage, as the design includes a larger picture gallery than either of the present galleries; a new reading room, having a western aspect, with a separate entrance hall, and several smaller rooms; and on its completion the present reading-room will be at liberty to be utilised for a much-needed extension of the reference library, as well making possible the removal the lending library to more eligible quarters from its dark underground position, where it has so long existed the inconvenience of both borrowers and librarians. - Museum, Library, and Park Committee of the Salford Corporation Twenty-seventh annual report.  [Manchester Courier Thursday 6 January 1876 page 6]

 PEEL PARK MUSEUM, SALFORD. —The new wing, including the Langworthy gallery, is fast approaching completion, and preparations are now being made for an appropriate opening, with exhibitions of loan and local artists’ paintings, and works of art generally. The Museum Committee are looking a-head also to acquire works of high class for the permanent collection of paintings. The great acquisition of the museum is in having secured two widely-known paintings by E. M. Ward, R.A., “The Last Sleep of Argyll,” and “The Execution of the Duke of Montrose.” These works were purchased from Mr. Brogden, M.P. Several large groups of sculpture have also been purchased, one by Imhoof, of “Hagar and Ishmael.” [Builder 30 March 1878 page 322]

 THE EXTENSION OF PEEL PARK MUSEUM – The late E R Langworthy was the founder of the first free library and museum in the provinces, for it was principally through his liberality and public spirit that the scheme for the establishment of the institution at Peel Park was realised, and that the first free library was opened to the public in January 1850. In the few years succeeding it was chiefly by Mr Langworthy’s donations to the extent of £5,300 that the two wings and central hall were added to the older building. For more than twenty years his interest in the institution was unceasing. At his death in 1874, he bequeathed a sum of £10,000 to be spent on the enlargement of the museum and the purchase of works of art. This legacy, which was paid free of duty by Mrs Langworthy, has, with accruing interest, placed over £11,000 at the disposal of the committee. In the autumn of 1875, they decided to construct an additional wing on the west side of the museum and to call it the Langworthy wing. Out of nine sets of excellent designs, chiefly by local architects, that of Mr Henry Lord was selected, and from a number of tenders that of Mr Herd for £5,760 was accepted; but subsequent changes and additions, together with the warming apparatus will increase this amount to perhaps £7,500.  - Report by Mr Alderman Davies, chairman of Museum Committee to Salford Town Council on 3 July 1878 [Manchester Guardian 4 July 1878 page 5]

PEEL PARK MUSEUM AND LIBRARY - OPENING OF THE LANGWORTHY GALLERY -The new wing of the Peel Park Museum and Library was opened last evening by the Mayor of Salford. The structure with a portion of its contents is an outcome of the bequest of £10,000 by the late Mr Langworthy, after whom it is named, and it makes a noble annex to an institution that is already ranked among the finest of the kind, and was founded first in the provinces. Architecturally the newly added wing harmonises with the previously existing building, variation in detail, however, being allowed for the purpose of ornamentation, and the effect is to give the whole a bold and elegant appearance. On the south side, which faces the Crescent, is a vestibule 30 feet by 35 feet, the deeply panelled ceiling of which is supported by a pair of Sienna scagliola columns and casts of antique sculpture are placed in suitable positions. Upon the same level, measuring 75 feet by 35 feet is the new reading room. This is lighted by a series of double circular-headed windows on the west side and at the north end by a large bay commanding an excellent view of the terrace and the park. The old reading room will in future be used as the library. The vestibule gives access to a spacious room in the basement, communicating with the geological rooms. The Langworthy Gallery occupies the whole of the second floor of the new wing, and is reached through arched entrances connecting it with the north and south galleries of the museum. It is an admirably proportioned apartment, measuring 104 feet long, 35 feet wide and 35 feet high, and it is devoted entirely to the exhibition of works of fine art. Ample light is obtained from a lantern roof, while at each end of the room a Venetian window with a balcony overlooks the park. The walls are divided by projecting pilasters, which allows the pictures to be hung in panels, and the ceiling is divides into bays by arches springing from the sides. Mr H Lord, John Dalton Street, in this city was the architect of the new building; the contractor was Mr James Herd, Stockport Road, and the decorator was Mr Harwood, also of this city. …… Report continues with details of the pictures on exhibition and those present at the opening. [Manchester Guardian 15 August 1878. Page 5 Column 5]

PEEL PARK MUSEUM AND LIBRARY - OPENING OF THE LANGWORTHY GALLERY -The new wing of the Peel Park Museum  and Library was opened last evening by the Mayor of Salford. The structure with a portion of its contents is an outcome of the bequest of £10,000 by the late Mr Langworthy, after whom it is named, and it makes a noble annex to an institution that is already ranked among the finest of the kind, and was founded first in the provinces. Architecturally the newly added wing harmonises with the previously existing building, variation in detail, however, being allowed for the purpose of ornamentation, and the effect is to give the whole a bold and elegant appearance. On the south side, which faces the Crescent, is a vestibule 30 feet by 35 feet, the deeply panelled ceiling of which is supported by a pair of Sienna scagliola columns and casts of antique sculpture are placed in suitable positions. Upon the same level, measuring 75 feet by 35 feet is the new reading room. This is lighted by a series of double circular-headed windows on the west side and at the north end by a large bay commanding an excellent view of the terrace and the park. The old reading room will in future be used as the library. The vestibule gives access to a spacious room in the basement, communicating with the geological rooms. The Langworthy Gallery occupies the whole of the second floor of the new wing, and is reached through arched entrances connecting it with the north and south galleries of the museum. It is an admirably proportioned apartment, measuring 104 feet long, 35 feet wide and 35 feet high, and it is devoted entirely to the exhibition of works of fine art. Ample light is obtained from a lantern roof, while at each end of the room a Venetian window with a balcony overlooks the park. The walls are divided by projecting pilasters, which allows the pictures to be hung in panels, and the ceiling is divides into bays by arches springing from the sides. Mr H Lord, John Dalton Street, in this city was the architect of the new building; the contractor was Mr James Herd, Stockport Road, and the decorator was Mr Harwood, also of this city. …… Report continues with details of the pictures on exhibition and those present at the opening. [Manchester Guardian 15 August 1878. Page 5 Column 5]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 14 May 1875 page 6
Reference    Builder 18 September 1875 page 850
Reference    Manchester Courier Thursday 6 January 1876 page 6
Reference    Builder 30 March 1878 page 322
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 July 1878 page 5 – Salford Town Council
Reference    Manchester City News 6 July 1878
Reference    British Architect 5 July 1878 Page 12
Reference     Manchester Guardian 15 August 1878. Page 5 Column 5 – opening