[Atarah]

Hi, when the Haworth's left their will, they had included 20 oil paintings and 30 watercolours (known as The Haworth Bequest)to go on display.

When the building was eventually opened to the public in 1921 there were also rooms containing oil and water colours which had belonged to the town of Accrington and which had previously been housed at the Carnegie library in St James Street, Accrington. The earliest purchase of a picture by Accrington Corporation appears to have been in 1903, then another in 1908. Eventually they had 19. At least 17 of these had been given by a local business and founder of the History Society in Accrington - HENRY PARKINSON, known as "The Accrington Friend and Wellwisher". More paintings were purchased and by the time the Haworth opened its doors the number transferred from the library had risen to 69 (known as THE CARNEGIE BEQUEST). There was also a NUTTALL BEQUEST of approx 26 paintings and drawings by Alice Ann Nuttall. She was the widow of George Nuttall, the Managing Director of Steiner's Calico Printing Works, Church.

In 1942 the paintings (plus others purchased over the years) were taken down to the basement of the house for safe keeping and The Haworth was closed. It re-opened in 1945. Around this time another bequest was made. This was the gift of ALFRED HITCHON, who had given over £50,000 to Accrington Victoria Hospital. (there are still to this day plaques on the wall in the hospital commemorating Mr Hitchon). He had worked for 20 yrs as an Engineering Manager at Howard & Bulloughs. He donated 14 oil paintings and 48 watercolours (known as the HITCHON BEQUEST).

These are the folk who have done our town proud!