Homage to museum's 1874 watercolours opened by curators

A HOMAGE to an opening exhibition at Blackburn Free Museum and Art Gallery features works dating back to the 1874 launch.

Curators at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery have arranged a tribute to the original venue's watercolour gallery as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations.

And using a newspaper review from the time they have been able to incorporate some of the original artists for the display.

An article from the opening of the Blackburn Free Library and Museum on June 11, 1874, lauded an exhibition featuring the watercolour works of 'Turner, Fred, Taylor, De Wint, Wm (William) Hunt, Sydney Cooper, Prout, Roberts, David Cox, Copley Fielding and Birket Foster'.

A Blackburn Museum spokesman said: "This special exhibition (has opened) and features the same artists who were displayed 150 years ago in the very same room, including names like J.M.W. Turner, Copley Fielding and Prout.

"The watercolours are only on display for a limited time so don't miss your chance to see them."

The museum, recently reopened after major roof repairs costing more than £500,000, has arranged a series of 150th anniversary events.

Staff are on the lookout for anyone who shares the landmark's 'birthday' on June 11 to be featured in a short film.

And the museum's opening hours have been extended by Blackburn with Darwen Council to enable more people to savour the venue's treasures.