It’s sixty years since the Manor House Museum opened in Ilkley and a number of events will celebrate the anniversary.
Historian John Cockshott looks back at its history: “In July 1961 the manor house was a gift by local businessman Percy Dalton to Ilkley Urban District Council, passing to Bradford MDC in 1974. Over the years there have been countless events there, both inside and out, art exhibitions and other displays, talks and concerts. Other local organisations have been involved including Ilkley Literature Festival, Ilkley Civic Society and the Playhouse. In 2018 Ilkley Manor House Trust took over the Manor House and continued and expanded the range of activities.”
John will give an illustrated talk about those sixty years on Zoom at the Ilkley Manor House coffee morning on Friday July 30 at 10.30am, those wishing to join can register on the website www.ilkleymanorhouse.org
The Manor House is now open again Saturdays and Sundays 11-4, with other days scheduled throughout the Summer, the website will have the latest information.
Ilkley Civic Society’s Local History Hub on Saturday 31 July at 3pm will also feature John again beginning a session on the same topic. You can sign up for this by email to localhistory@civicsociety.ilkley.org
Inside the house an anniversary exhibition to look back over the 60 years of the Manor House being a museum and art gallery. The exhibition includes displays from the ‘Fantastic at 50’ exhibition that was curated by Bradford Museums and Galleries in 2010 as well as information about the last 10 years too.
John added: “If you have memories of the manor house to share do let us know.”