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Leisure, Culture and TourismMuseums & GalleriesBroadfield House Glass MuseumStourbridge GlassThe History of the Museum
Leisure, Culture and TourismMuseums & GalleriesBroadfield House Glass MuseumStourbridge GlassThe History of the Museum
The History of the Broadfield House Glass Museum
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History of Broadfield House
The history of the building goes back to the late 18th century when the farmhouse stood amongst open fields. By 1820 it was extended with a fashionable Regency frontage, which faces Compton Drive today. During the 19th century it was lived in by the Dudleys, a family of ironmasters. Unfortunately there is no history of any glassmakers having lived here. It continued in private occupation until 1943 when it was sold to a local industrialist who then sold off separate portions of the whole estate. It became a Mothercraft Hostel for unmarried mothers and babies, followed by a period as a Senior Citizen's home.
The history of the building goes back to the late 18th century when the farmhouse stood amongst open fields. By 1820 it was extended with a fashionable Regency frontage, which faces Compton Drive today. During the 19th century it was lived in by the Dudleys, a family of ironmasters. Unfortunately there is no history of any glassmakers having lived here. It continued in private occupation until 1943 when it was sold to a local industrialist who then sold off separate portions of the whole estate. It became a Mothercraft Hostel for unmarried mothers and babies, followed by a period as a Senior Citizen's home.
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When it was vacated in 1978, Dudley Council was looking for alternative accommodation for both of its glass collections, then housed at Brierley Hill and Stourbridge. Broadfield House proved ideal as a new home for the collections, especially with its proximity to the Stourbridge glassmaking district. When it opened in 1980 it realised a hundred-year dream to have a museum to promote the great glassmaking tradition of the area.
Broadfield House Glass Museum was opened by Princess Michael of Kent on the 2nd of April 1980. The following year it won the Best Small Museum Award.
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In 1994 an all-glass pavilion was added to the rear of the existing building to provide a new entrance, exhibition space and shop area as well as a link to the glassmaking studio. It has a triple-glazed roof, double-glazed elevations, laminated glass beams and columns, and glass mortise and tenon joints. The pavilion is believed to be one of the largest all-glass structures in the world. Inside, two special windows were commissioned to celebrate the art of glassworking, with grant aid from West Midlands Arts. The windows are entitled The Glass Dance and depict the two main categories of glassworking - the left one shows hot work while the right one shows cold decoration. The Glass Dance was designed and made by David Prytherch, an internationally renowned glass engraver based in Stourbridge.
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The Future
In the twenty years since it opened, Broadfield House Glass Museum has established a reputation as one of the major glass museums in the world. It has encouraged and supported contemporary makers. Its geographical position within the Stourbridge district has allowed it to record the glass history of the area in great detail, with the help of glasshouse directors and workers.
As in the past, the industry will reinvent itself, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Glass House Project run by Ruskin Mill Further Education Centre at the former Webb Corbett factory is already a portent of the future, where studio glass firms are working in a complex of workshops with other craft disciplines. For Broadfield House Glass Museum, the partnership with the Red House Glass Cone has opened up an exciting range of new ventures. In collaboration with our supporters and partners, Broadfield House Glass Museum will continue to promote the study and enjoyment of glass.
In the twenty years since it opened, Broadfield House Glass Museum has established a reputation as one of the major glass museums in the world. It has encouraged and supported contemporary makers. Its geographical position within the Stourbridge district has allowed it to record the glass history of the area in great detail, with the help of glasshouse directors and workers.
As in the past, the industry will reinvent itself, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Glass House Project run by Ruskin Mill Further Education Centre at the former Webb Corbett factory is already a portent of the future, where studio glass firms are working in a complex of workshops with other craft disciplines. For Broadfield House Glass Museum, the partnership with the Red House Glass Cone has opened up an exciting range of new ventures. In collaboration with our supporters and partners, Broadfield House Glass Museum will continue to promote the study and enjoyment of glass.
© 2005 - 2009 Broadfield House Glass Museum, Compton Drive, Kingswinford, DY6 9NS