Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Galleries I, II and III, which are accessed through the Main Hall enabled many of the largest works of the founding fine art collection to be displayed. These were formally opened by Princess Beatrice on 1 February 1919 – Merton and Annie’s 59th wedding anniversary. Annie was unable to attend the formal opening due to ill health, but she had tea with Princess Beatrice after the ceremony in her Boudoir.

The galleries were opened to visitors by purchased advance tickets, for two hours on the first Wednesday of each month.

Gallery IV

In 1926, in order to fulfil their parents’ wishes, an unique-shaped Gallery IV was opened and given to the town by Herbert Russell-Cotes and Ella Stebbing (née Russell-Cotes). It was originally planned to be built at the same time as the other Galleries.