Collection: Museum of Bath Architecture

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  Following the successful exhibition titled The Building of Bath at the RIBA Heinz Galley in London curated by James Ayres, the decision was made to set up a permanent museum based around this exhibition in Bath. Objects collected for the temporary exhibition were gifted or loaned and further collecting to enlarge on the temporary exhibition followed, including the Bath City Model built in 1966. The Building of Bath Museum opened in 1992 and alongside the permanent exhibition the museum began collecting objects, artworks and archives relating to the built heritage of Bath.

  From 1999 the museum has also been collecting objects, archives and artworks relating to the development of historic fixtures, fittings and interior decoration. In 2000 the museum was gifted its most substantial named collection, the Bath Buildings Record. This contains drawings, photographs, architectural fragments and archives collected 1963-1975 (a period known as the Sack of Bath) by a volunteer group called the Bath Buildings Record.

  In 2012 the archive holdings of the Bath Preservation Trust were relocated to the Museum to create a centralised study resource for researchers. The archives are managed by the Bath Preservation Trust Assistant Curator, overseen by the Senior Curator.

  In 2015 the Museum name changed to The Museum of Bath Architecture and adjusted its Statement of Purpose to extend the role of the museum’s collection and interpretation beyond the Georgian period and reflect the full range of architectural history and built heritage of the City of Bath.

  In 2016 the Museum made the significant acquisition of the John Wood Drawing set with grant support from the Art Fund, the ACE/V&A Purchase Grant fund and numerous private donations.

  In 2018 the museum completed a South West Museum Development supported project to upgrade the security, environmental conditions and acquire two new display cases as part of the Ready to Borrow Scheme, preparing the museum to work towards Government Indemnity Standard and pursue a programme of loans The Museum has been closed to general admission since March 2020 and has no reopened following the Covid-19 pandemic, other than for group visits, guided tours and events. The collection continues to be consulted by researchers. A feasibility study has been undertaken for the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chape with BPT committed to pursuing a vision for the building, and the Museum Collection, as outlined in the BPT Museums Strategic Plan (2023-26) and museum Forward Plans (2023-6).

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The museum collection consists of 8,000 objects including photographic and named archive collections (not including Bath Preservation Trust archives). Of these approximately 10% are on loan from other institutions or private collections, including Bath Record Office.

  The collection includes;

  1. Works on Paper: Including watercolours, architectural plans, maps, drawings, prints, engravings and photographs.
  2. The Bath Buildings Record: Approximately 7000 objects including architectural fragments, drawings, slides, photographs and ephemera collected 1963-1975 (the ‘Sack of Bath’ period) by the Bath Buildings Record volunteers.
  3. The Peter Coard Collection: Assorted drawings, slides and printed ephemera gifted by Peter Coard.
  4. A collection of crafts people’s tool including the Rees Tool Collection on loan to the Museum from Jane Rees.
  5. Drawing and measuring instruments, including the John Wood drawing set.
  6. Architectural Models, including the Bath City Model.
  7. Architectural and interior fragments.
  8. Oil paintings of Bath.
  9. Rare book collection, including 18th century architectural publications and the published works of Bath architect John Wood the Elder.
  10. Printed ephemera including deeds.

  Approximately 40% of the collection is on display in the permanent exhibition. Collections kept in store are frequently displayed through temporary exhibitions and are used for research purposes by staff, volunteers and members of the public.

  Of particular significance is the Bath Buildings Record, which includes over 7000 images, drawings and objects illustrating a vital part of Bath’s architectural history through which lost treasures of the city can be rediscovered.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC