Collections

Collections news

Thank you for considering giving us an item for the collections. 

Please note The Wilson is changing.  Over the coming year, our staff and volunteers will be focussing on our ‘Cheltenham’s BIG Museum Project’ to re-furbish and redevelop our collections galleries. We are working towards launching your new Museum by 2026.

Unfortunately, during this time, we will be unable to accept donations to the collection.

We are currently adding further collections information to our website please continue to check back.  

The Wilson holds the extensive collections of Cheltenham Borough. Particular highlights include our world renowned Arts and Crafts Movement collection, Designated as being of national importance; items relating to Cheltenham-born Dr Edward Wilson’s part in Captain Scott’s expeditions to the Antarctic; fine art, including the founding gift of Dutch and Belgian paintings from the Baron De Ferrieres; and a wealth of objects relating to the Cheltenham’s fascinating history. You can also find out about recent collections projects including Cheltenham and Gloucestershire during the First World War.

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch a new public collections information service to support individual research very soon.  

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch a new public collections information service to support individual research very soon.  

Alternatively, here are some suggestions of other sources for information.

  • Is your question about an object(s) in the collection? If so, you may find that there is information on our online database.
  • If it is a general query e.g. about the history of Cheltenham, the biography of an artist, a style of fashion, or the Arts and Crafts Movement you need to look at books, websites or visit the local library.  
  • Is your question for a school project? If so, please contact our learning team on learning@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
  • Do you want to purchase or reproduce an image from our collections? Please go to Buying our Images. Please note that the majority our image orders are dealt with through Bridgeman Art Library.

For anything else please contact us on collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk. However, due to the large number of emails we receive it may take up to eight weeks to respond to your enquiry.

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch Open Access Days very soon.  

Do you want to buy an image from the collections held at The Wilson?

Is the image you would like a colour image?

The Bridgeman Art Library hold our colour images. You can search their database to see if they already have the image.

  • If they do, all the rest of the purchasing procedure is with them
  • If they don’t, please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk and we will see how we can assist you.

Is it a black and white image?

  • We supply black and white images. If you would like to order an image, please let us know what the image is e.g. artist, title, subject matter etc. If you know the object number, please include that in your enquiry. An object number will look similar to this: 2022.18. Please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk to find out more.

Are you going to reproduce the images?

  • If not ….i.e. they are only for your own private use, for example to hang on the wall, or
    for reference, you do not need to do anything else.

If yes, please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk to find out more. Please let us know as much information as possible about the publication e.g. what the publication is and how you would like to use the image in it and your timescales – but worry if you don’t have that information yet!

Categories

Collections news

Thank you for considering giving us an item for the collections. 

Please note The Wilson is changing.  Over the coming year, our staff and volunteers will be focussing on our ‘Cheltenham’s BIG Museum Project’ to re-furbish and redevelop our collections galleries. We are working towards launching your new Museum by 2026.

Unfortunately, during this time, we will be unable to accept donations to the collection.

We are currently adding further collections information to our website please continue to check back.  

The Wilson holds the extensive collections of Cheltenham Borough. Particular highlights include our world renowned Arts and Crafts Movement collection, Designated as being of national importance; items relating to Cheltenham-born Dr Edward Wilson’s part in Captain Scott’s expeditions to the Antarctic; fine art, including the founding gift of Dutch and Belgian paintings from the Baron De Ferrieres; and a wealth of objects relating to the Cheltenham’s fascinating history. You can also find out about recent collections projects including Cheltenham and Gloucestershire during the First World War.

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch a new public collections information service to support individual research very soon.  

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch a new public collections information service to support individual research very soon.  

Alternatively, here are some suggestions of other sources for information.

  • Is your question about an object(s) in the collection? If so, you may find that there is information on our online database.
  • If it is a general query e.g. about the history of Cheltenham, the biography of an artist, a style of fashion, or the Arts and Crafts Movement you need to look at books, websites or visit the local library.  
  • Is your question for a school project? If so, please contact our learning team on learning@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
  • Do you want to purchase or reproduce an image from our collections? Please go to Buying our Images. Please note that the majority our image orders are dealt with through Bridgeman Art Library.

For anything else please contact us on collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk. However, due to the large number of emails we receive it may take up to eight weeks to respond to your enquiry.

Please note collections enquiries are currently paused due to limited staff capacity; however, we hope to relaunch Open Access Days very soon.  

Do you want to buy an image from the collections held at The Wilson?

Is the image you would like a colour image?

The Bridgeman Art Library hold our colour images. You can search their database to see if they already have the image.

  • If they do, all the rest of the purchasing procedure is with them
  • If they don’t, please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk and we will see how we can assist you.

Is it a black and white image?

  • We supply black and white images. If you would like to order an image, please let us know what the image is e.g. artist, title, subject matter etc. If you know the object number, please include that in your enquiry. An object number will look similar to this: 2022.18. Please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk to find out more.

Are you going to reproduce the images?

  • If not ….i.e. they are only for your own private use, for example to hang on the wall, or
    for reference, you do not need to do anything else.

If yes, please contact collections@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk to find out more. Please let us know as much information as possible about the publication e.g. what the publication is and how you would like to use the image in it and your timescales – but worry if you don’t have that information yet!

Collections

Categories