The Elgar Birthplace Museum is a small, independent museum with a nationally important collection of manuscripts, books, furniture, personal possessions and memorabilia associated with the life, work and influence of Sir Edward Elgar.
The collection is ‘live’ and continues to grow. We are very grateful for the donations and bequests the Museum has received for the collection, and very much appreciate people offering to donate.
Because of the limited storage space, before we can accept an item we have to make sure that it comes within the guidelines for the collection and that, in the case of programmes,printed music and records, we do not already have a copy.
The Museum's collection is made up of:
- Letters or documents written to or from Sir Edward Elgar, or associated with his life and works;
- Original manuscripts, scores and proof copies;
- Photographs associated with the life and influences of Sir Edward Elgar, providing the Museum can obtain copyright;
- Concert programmes;
- Books belonging to, or having a direct association with, the composer;
- Original gramophone recordings identified as missing in the collection) Items of Elgar memorabilia (including furniture, musical instruments,textiles, ceramics, glass and silverware). Particular emphasis is given to items that assist in the understanding and interpretation of Elgar, the man;
- Printed and pictorial information, archives and published ephemera which relate to the life and work of Sir Edward Elgar, or which relate to the life and work of Sir Edward Elgar, which assist in the understanding and interpretation of other objects in the collection.
