Langworthy Gallery, Peel Park Museum and Library, Crescent, Salford (Architectural Competition)

In early 1875 Salford Museum Committee decided to set aside £6,000 of the late Mr E R Langworthy’ bequest for the erection of a new wing at the west end of the present buildings, and invited architects to compete in suggesting a suitable building, not to exceed that amount. To this invitation nine architects responded, of which, with the exception of one residing in London and one in Leicester, all are resident in Manchester, via Barker and Eilis, Asahel P. Bell, Owen Edwards, H. Lord, J. Lowe, Tate and Popplewell, and J. S. Whittington. The designs and arrangements of the new wing were similar nearly all cases, as the instructions required a picture gallery, a reading-room. and an entrance from the south end, but the details of construction and exterior aspect varied greatly. The Museum Committee, being guided by the professional knowledge of the Borough Engineer (Mr. Fowler), made a selection of four of the designs, and ultimately adopted the design by Mr. Henry Lord who had already designed and built the Branch Library in Regent Road. This design is only adopted conditional to its being built for the sum of £6,000, and in case it cannot be guaranteed to be built for that sum another selection will be made. It is the opinion of all professional men that none of the designs can be built for £6,000; but the one which comes nearest that sum is reported by the Borough Engineer to be the one by Barker and Ellis. [Manchester Guardian 14 May 1875 page 6]

Reference    British Architect 14 May 1875 Page 275
Reference    Manchester Guardian 14 May 1875 page 6