Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery

About the museum

Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery was built in 1891 as a purpose-built Victorian gallery. It was erected to house a collection of paintings, drawings and watercolours given to the town by Mary Ann Richards in memory of her late husband Edwin, and cost £5,821. The architects were Wood and Kendrick of West Bromwich and the builder was Henry Wilcock of Wolverhampton. Four panels on the front show Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Joshua Reynolds, John Flaxman and Sir Isaac Newton to represent architecture, art, sculpture and science.

After the Second World War the council used the building as offices. It returned to museum use in 1972 after modernisation and renovation. The Richards paintings, mostly landscapes, were stored in caves at Kinver during the war, and a council sale in 1948 reduced the collection to 54 paintings. Other holdings include works by the local artist Joseph Gibbs and an old toys and games gallery.

The museum is best known for its collection of Ruskin Pottery, one of the largest in the world, which includes glazes such as Bleu Soufflé, Lustre, Flambé and Crystalline. Its Nostalgia Rooms show everyday objects from the 1960s and 1970s. A changing programme of temporary exhibitions, events for all ages and school holiday activities runs alongside the permanent displays. The museum is run by Sandwell Council.

Highlights

• One of the largest collections of Ruskin Pottery in the world
• Richards Gallery of paintings given to the town in 1891
• Nostalgia Rooms with everyday objects from the 1960s and 1970s
• Old toys and games gallery
• Purpose-built Victorian gallery building with free entry

Permanent exhibitions

• Ruskin Pottery collection – A collection of Ruskin Pottery, among the largest in the world, showing glazes such as Bleu Soufflé, Lustre, Flambé and Crystalline.
• Nostalgia Rooms – Rooms displaying everyday objects from the 1960s and 1970s.
• Richards Gallery and old toys – The Richards paintings given to the town in 1891, together with a gallery of old toys and games.

Founded

1891

Operated by

Sandwell Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free, but there may be a small charge for some events and activities.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is accessible, there is a lift to the first floor and an accessible toilet on the first floor. Accessible parking is next to the museum in the pay and display car park. Pushchairs cannot be taken around the building, so they should be left in the pushchair park on the right of the entrance or in the car. Only assistance dogs are allowed on site. An access guide is published on the Visit England website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum runs events for all ages and school holiday activities, and has an old toys gallery and Nostalgia Rooms. Pushchairs cannot be taken around the building.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is through the purple double doors on Holyhead Road.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There is no catering on site apart from refreshments at some events. The Morrisons supermarket opposite has a café, and more options are in Wednesbury town centre, a 5-minute walk away.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit