Rugby Art Gallery and Museum takes trip down memory lane for reopening

Images of Rugby features historic photographs, postcards and paintings of the town, charting a period of rapid change and capturing iconic landmarks.

The exhibition includes pictures taken by professional and amateur photographers, including Rodney Huntingford, of Redding's Photographic Studio, who captured the demolition of the old art school in Church Street on camera in the early 1950s.

Projector slides from the British Thomson Houston archives show new street lights illuminating the town centre in the 1940s, while the exhibition features photographs of historic town centre buildings, including alms houses which were demolished in the 1960s.

Images of Rugby also includes a selection of pictures taken by Rugby Photographic Society member Maurice Miller in the 1960s, an aerial photograph of the town centre from the 1970s and another aerial shot of the construction of the Art Gallery and Museum near the turn of the millennium.

In addition to photographs, the exhibition features postcards from the 19th and 20th century, together with paintings of landmarks such as Rugby Cement works and the Rugby Radio Station masts.

Catherine Shanahan, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's senior collections officer, said: "Our social history collection includes a treasure trove of images charting the changing face of the town and we're showcasing a number of photographs which have never featured in an exhibition before.

"Images of Rugby forms part of a packed programme of exhibitions and events we have prepared for the reopening of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum following lockdown, and we're now looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the venue."

Images of Rugby runs from 18 May to  8 January 2022. 

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum reopens its doors on 18 May in line with Government guidance.

Visitors must be limited to groups of up to six people or two households. To avoid waiting, visitors should book in advance online. Track and trace details need to be provided.

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum offers free admission to all exhibitions. To book, and for more information and opening times, visit www.ragm.co.uk