The Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, England is expanding after acquiring a nearby cluster of historic buildings.
The three adjoining properties have not been in use for many years and are in a state of disrepair, the Brontë Society said in a press release.
The purchase was made possible with a recent gift to the Brontë Society, and the refurbishment will be funded through external sources.
Lucy Powrie, chair of the Brontë Society, said: “As we look towards honouring the centenary of the Brontë Parsonage Museum in 2028, I am delighted that our acquisition of this building will allow us to shape an ambitious and inclusive vision for the future of the museum and the Brontë Society, a vision we hope will uphold the heritage of the Brontës and Haworth for generations to come.”
Dedicated to Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, the Brontë Parsonage Museum houses the largest collection of Brontë items in the world.
Brontë Society restoration project
Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, said: “The Brontë Society has long held an ambition to have a presence closer to the heart of Haworth.”
“Restoring this neglected building will provide us with the opportunity to create unique and much-needed additional space for our archives and team members and we look forward to breathing new life into this part of West Lane,” she added.
“There is a lot of work to do before the restoration can begin, but everyone at the Brontë Parsonage Museum is very excited about the potential of this building and the opportunities it offers for closer community engagement with local residents and visitors alike.”
Situated in a conservation area, the historic buildings include the former studio of local photographer Fred Smith, who was caretaker of the original Brontë Museum in the early 1900s.
Many of Smith’s photographs, which document Haworth at that time, are now in the Brontë Society’s archive, with the charity hoping to display some of them in the renovated space.
Images courtesy of the Brontë Society
