Brooke Robinson collection to relocate to Himley Hall

The much-loved Brooke Robinson collection will get a new home at Himley Hall.

Volunteers Lynette Willetts, Pam Preston and Julia Scott with Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise

The collection, which housed at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery until the building's closure in 2016, was bequeathed to the town by former MP and coroner for Dudley, Brooke Robinson.

It was originally kept in a purpose built room in the town hall, before it was moved to the museum in 1979.

The collection includes a range of 17th, 18th and 19th British and European paintings, furniture and ceramics. Bilston enamels, commemorative medals, Greek, Roman and Egyptian pottery and personal memorabilia relating to Brooke Robinson and his two wives also features.

Volunteers Pam Preston, Lynette Willetts, Councillor Ian Kettle and volunteer Julia Scott

Some of the more famous items shown in the original museum were family oil paintings. A painting of special local interest is entitled 'Smoke Room Dudley Arms, 1825' by W. J Pringle (1829). Water colours include 'The Old Town Hall, Dudley' by Paul Braddon and 'Stourton Castle' signed C.B.

Volunteers and members of the Brooke Robinsons Trustees have been trained by the museum team and have selected the items to be on display. They have selected a range of items including a cabinet of curiosities, paintings, costume and uniforms.

There are also information panels about Brooke Robinson, life in Dudley in the 1800s and his political career.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley Council's cabinet member responsible for museums and halls said: "The Brooke Robinson collection has always been a little gem in the museum’s wider collection.

"Since we relocated the museum from the town centre to the modern Dudley Archives we have been itching to get the Brooke Robinson collection back on display.

"We are housing it at Himley Hall for now and hope that the thousands of visitors to the hall will take in the collection as part of their visit.

"There are some real treasures in the collection and I am so glad that we have been able to work with the Brooke Robinson Trustees to get them back on display."

The collection will be housed at Himley Hall from Saturday, April 4, and will be available to view during the hall’s opening times.