Moves Afoot To Establish Museum of Brentford
Early discussions looking at feasibility of local history exhibition
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A plan to establish a new museum in Brentford specifically focused on the local history of the Brentford area is being discussed at length at recent Brentford Voice meetings.
Brentford already has two museums, the Musical Museum and the Steam Museum but neither specialises in local history. Currently, the Gunnersbury Park Museum houses many of the items of local historical interest.
Jim Storrar of Brentford Voice admits there are ‘many hoops to go through and many issues to be considered’ but believes with Hounslow applying to be a borough of culture and possible funding available from major developments in the area the time is right for the idea to be taken forward. The concept has also been raised and discussed on John Dale’s Brentford TV Facebook page.
The Layton Collection was bequeathed ‘to the people of Brentford to create a museum’ when he died in 1911. However, the items that he left are now spread across a number of locations including the London Metropolitan Archives. The collection comprises 4,000 maps and prints, 150 framed prints; 3,500 coins, tokens and medals – Roman, Greek, Indian, American and British; 5,200 artefacts from around the world and 8,000 books and manuscripts. A new museum would be unlikely to meet the requirements of this valuable collection.
A museum that reflects Brentford's cultural heritage in the centre of Brentford has long been mooted but would require a site and copious amounts of funding. It could possibly be run under the stewardship of Gunnersbury Park Museum but all options need to be explored.
If you would like to see a museum in Brentford then why not fill in Hounslow's current consultation on Culture in the borough (deadline of 22nd September).
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September 9, 2019
