Elgar Birthplace Museum
Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH, England, United Kingdom | |
Coordinates | 52°12′N 2°17′W / 52.20°N 2.28°W |
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Website | www |
The Firs in
History and collection
William Henry Elgar moved to Worcestershire from Kent in the 1840s, to further his business as a piano tuner. He married Anne Greening, a farmer’s daughter from the Forest of Dean.[1][2] Edward William Elgar, the fourth of their seven children, was born at The Firs on 2 June 1857, and lived here until his family moved to Worcester two years later.[3] The cottage was established as a museum in 1934, on Elgar's death, by his daughter Carice Elgar Blake.[a][5]
The museum houses a broad collection of Elgar memorabilia, including original music manuscripts; letters from and to Elgar, his friends and family;[6] proofs, programmes and other items connected with Elgar's music;[7] family photographs and scrapbooks; items connected with his travels and with his hobbies including golf and cycling;[8] personal possessions, awards and honours, and film of his later years.
Low visitor numbers and significant annual operating losses[9] saw the National Trust take over the administration of the museum in 2016.[10][11] The Trust’s administration is supported by the Elgar Society.[12] It has Accredited Museum status from the Arts Council England.[13]
In 2018, the majority of the Elgar manuscript archive was moved from The Firs to the British Library, despite local opposition.[14][15][16][17]
Architecture, events and facilities
The Firs is a Grade II listed building.[18] It comprises the cottage, the Elgar Centre built in 2000 and an adjacent function room.[19][20] The cottage is constructed of brick and is of two storeys. The coach house and stables were built by Elgar’s father, William Elgar, and his uncle, Henry.[18]
The museum offers a programme of events throughout the year and annual visitor numbers have risen from around 10,000 to just under 30,000.[21][22]
See also
Notes
- ^ Elgar, and his wife, Alice, are buried in the nearby Church of St Wulstan at Little Malvern.[4]
References
- ^ "Sir Edward Elgar". National Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "The Firs: Birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar". National Trust. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ Cavendish, Richard (November 1994). "The Elgar Birthplace Museum". History Today. 44 (11): 62. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ^ Brooks & Pevsner 2007, p. 435.
- ^ "Carice Elgar Blake". National Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Akbar, Arifa (20 November 2009). "Great composer, shame he couldn't play". The Independent. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Taylor, Margherita. "Edward Elgar Birthplace Museum". Classic FM. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Edward Elgar's hobbies and pastimes". National Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Morley, Christopher (2 February 2017). "National Trust's grand plans for Elgar's humble birthplace". Business News. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Edward Elgar Birthplace Museum". Discover Worcestershire. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ Worral, Hannah (23 September 2016). "National Trust could save Elgar Birthplace Museum". Worcester News. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "The Elgar Society Annual Report 2015". Charity Commission. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ "Accreditation statistics". Arts Council England. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "Elgar Archive". Elgar Foundation. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Statement - Elgar Archive". British Library. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Elgar Archive Update". Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Worcestershire Elgar archive moves despite local campaign". BBC News. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Elgar's Birthplace and adjoining coachhouse and stables (Grade II) (1178964)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ Brooks & Pevsner 2007, p. 174.
- ^ "Visiting The Firs". National Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "The Firs, Elgar's birthplace". Art UK. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ George, Rob (8 September 2018). "NT celebrates record breaking year at Elgar's birthplace". Malvern Observer. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
Sources
- Brooks, Alan; OCLC 237891290.