BEDFORD MUSEUM

PAPER AND ART COLLECTION

The Museum holds a collection of some 6,000 art and paper documents and a library collection. These include a variety of media including prints, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, maps, photographs, newspapers, postcards, valentine cards, lantern slides, publications and documents particularly pertaining to the human history of the area.

The library collection has been greatly enhanced by the transfer of some 900 Bedfordshire books and pamphlets from the Borough Council Muniments Room, as well as the loan of the Harry Newman collection of local books. The magic lantern slides include those of local Historian Walter Henman and comprise over 2,500 images, many of Bedford and local parishes and famous people. The art collection includes watercolours by, and sketchbooks of, Bradford Rudge and now incorporates the prints, drawings and maps of Bedford and local parishes from the Muniments Room collection which are important topographically.

In addition to material of local importance there are items of wider significance such as autographs of historical interest, the correspondence collection of Hamilton Fyfe, journalist and author, and newspapers dating from the 17^th century featuring historic events.

Back