Elgar Birthplace Museum
 The birthplace cottage | |
| Established | 1934 |
|---|---|
| Location | Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH, England, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 52°12′N 2°17′W / 52.20°N 2.28°W |
| Website | http://www.elgarmuseum.org |
The Elgar Birthplace Museum in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, England is currently closed for refurbishment. It will reopen in Spring 2017. It is a museum dedicated to the English composer Edward Elgar. Elgar was born here on 2 June 1857, and lived here until his family moved to Worcester two years later.[1] The museum comprises the Birthplace Cottage and its delightful garden, and the modern Elgar Centre, opened in 2000, which houses further exhibitions and a function room.
The Museum displays give a fascinating insight into Elgar the man and social history as well as an opportunity to see original music manuscripts. In addition to autograph music manuscripts, the Museum collection includes around 11,000 letters from and to Elgar, his friends and family; proofs, programmes and other items connected with Elgar's music; family photographs and scrapbooks; items connected with his travels and with his hobbies including golf and cycling; personal possessions, awards and honours, and film of his later years. The cottage was established as a museum in 1934, on Elgar's death, by his daughter Carice Elgar Blake.[2]
The Museum receives no regular funding and is reliant on income from admissions and retail income. It therefore greatly values the support it receives from generous donors and its friends including the Elgar Society. It has Accredited Museum status from the Arts Council England.[3]
Opening Hours, Events and Facilities
In 2016 the Elgar Birthplace Museum will be open 11am - 5pm, Friday to Tuesday (last admission 4.15pm).
It offers a programme of events, musical concerts, educational talks, craft activities, art exhibitions and family events spread throughout the year.
For families, the museum currently offers a selection of children's trails and activity days and has a "Jubilee Music Garden" with outdoor musical instruments, which was installed in 2012.
References
- ↑ Cavendish, Richard (November 1994). "The Elgar Birthplace Museum". History Today. 44 (11): 62. Retrieved 2009-07-12. (information from opening paragraph, freely available online; remainder of article available to subscribers or in print)
- ↑ "Elgar Birthplace Museum". Philharmonia Orchestra. 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
- ↑ "Accreditation statistics". Arts Council England. Retrieved 25 November 2013. '"List of Accredited Museums" is in Excel spreadsheet linked from this page
