Items from Tamworth Castle’s extensive archive are set to go on public display across the town after selected pieces were transferred to new community venues – including some which have never been shown before.
The castle has operated as a museum since 1899 and holds a heritage collection of more than 42,000 objects and archive items. Over the past 127 years, the collection has grown through donations, company closures, auction purchases and archive deposits.
However, space constraints and conservation requirements mean not everything can be exhibited. The latest review aims to ensure items are accessible and meaningful to the local community.
In partnership with St Editha’s Church, three large paintings depicting the church’s stained-glass windows have been permanently transferred. Painted by Mr A G McManus and commissioned in 1967 by Tamworth resident Mr P Findley, the artworks commemorate the men of Tamworth parish who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, along with Rev. Captain Maurice Berkley Peel, Vicar of St Editha’s in 1916.
The paintings, which have never previously been publicly displayed, can now be viewed alongside the framed Rolls of Honour in the church itself.
Meanwhile, The Tamworth Tap has become the permanent home of the historic Morgan’s Brewery mirror, crafted by Forrest & Son of Glasgow and originating from the former Morgan’s Brewery site on Ladybank, which had previously been on loan from the castle.
Two traditional wooden settles, including one from the former Star Inn in Lower Gungate, have also been relocated to the town centre venue, along with two fire buckets from Tolson’s Mill, which will be displayed in the pub yard during the summer months.
Some documents and archive materials with no direct relevance to Tamworth are being transferred to record offices in Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Stratford and Norfolk, while bound copies of the Tamworth Herald will move to Tamworth Library to help fill gaps in its archive and support local research.
The castle will also take part in School Archives Day on Thursday 12 March, highlighting the QEMS archives held within its collection. These include significant records relating to the school’s history and a portrait of one of its former masters. The initiative aims to showcase the importance of preserving school records and their role in telling the story of generations of local pupils and educators.
Stephen Gabriel, chief executive of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Tamworth Castle has been a museum preserving our town’s history for well over a century, and caring for around 42,000 items is both a privilege and a significant responsibility.
“While not everything can be displayed, we are committed to managing our collections ethically, professionally and in line with national standards.
“By transferring selected items to local venues and appropriate archive services, we are improving access to our heritage and making sure these important pieces can be seen, accessed and appreciated by current and future generations.”
Collections from Tamworth Castle can also be viewed online via its digital archive.
