Our History

Step inside The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery, a historic gem set in the former home of George Hardman, owner of New Hall Hey textile mill. Built in 1840 and named Oak Hill, the house was later purchased by Richard Whitaker in 1899, who generously gifted it and the surrounding grounds to the people of Rossendale. Richard Whitaker, a local man born into poverty, began working in the textile industry aged just 6 years old. It was Whitaker’s intention that the house and grounds be used for the betterment of local people, in particular for the children of Rossendale.

The grounds were expanded to create Whitaker Park which opened in 1901, and the museum opened its doors in 1902. Whitaker never lived in Oakhill House and therefore unusually, the museum doesn’t hold any objects from its life as a family home, however visitors can still admire original architectural features such as marble fireplaces, plaster architraves, and stone-flagged floors.

From the very beginning, The Whitaker aimed to be a museum “of general interest,” with collections representing a broad range of subject areas. Much of the collection represents the local area, but a substantial number of objects have been collected from around the world, brought back by local people as ‘curiosities’ and given to the museum.
Over the years, donations, bequests, and acquisitions have established a rich and varied collection. Explore our permanent displays, and keep an eye on our changing exhibitions to discover new highlights from our diverse collection.