Now, I have to admit that visiting Whitworth Park has always been an afterthought.
In the 1970s, it was just that big green place you passed on the bus from bed sit land into town, and when I began regularly going to the Whitworth Art Gallery a decade later it was the open space you saw from the side windows.
Occasionally, I might cut through on a warm summer’s day, clock the statute of the King, and take the first exit out to the bus stops.
All of which is a shame, because there is lots to see, and indeed, once upon a time even more.
"The park was established as part of the Whitworth Institute, a memorial concept to famous engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth.
The Institute secured the land for Whitworth Park in 1889, which was then known as Potters Field and the Park was opened in 1890.
The park was formally handed over in October 1904 on a 1000-year lease.
The Whitworth Institute was taken over by the University of Manchester in 1958 when it became the Whitworth Art Gallery.
The University of Manchester remains the owner of the park and Manchester City Council is the lessee. There is a statue of 'Edward VII' by John Cassidy and a First World War memorial to the 7th Manchester’s”.*
Looking through the collection of old picture postcards, I came across a few which showed it off in all its glory, just a decade and a bit after it opened.
And to my surprise there amongst the images is one of the boating lake, which rather threw me given that it isn’t there now, and for a moment I wondered if the postcard company had got the wrong park.
But no, they hadn’t and there was indeed a lake in Whitworth park.
And this I know because I went to one of the authorities on the area which is Bruce Anderson and in particular to his wonderful site, Rusholme and Victoria Park which has several pages devoted to Whitworth Park.
At which stage I won’t steal his research, but rather direct you to the link and to an excellent history of the place.**
Leaving me just at ask Bruce when the lake disappeared, and to go looking for the spot.
Location; Whitworth Park
Pictures; looking out on the park, 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and picture postcards of the park, 1907, courtesy of David Harrop
*Whitworth Park, https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/89321/whitworth_park
*Whitworth Gallery and Park, Rusholme and Victoria Park, https://rusholmearchive.org/whitworth-park-and-gallery
Occasionally, I might cut through on a warm summer’s day, clock the statute of the King, and take the first exit out to the bus stops.
All of which is a shame, because there is lots to see, and indeed, once upon a time even more.
"The park was established as part of the Whitworth Institute, a memorial concept to famous engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth.
The Institute secured the land for Whitworth Park in 1889, which was then known as Potters Field and the Park was opened in 1890.
The park was formally handed over in October 1904 on a 1000-year lease.
The Whitworth Institute was taken over by the University of Manchester in 1958 when it became the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Looking through the collection of old picture postcards, I came across a few which showed it off in all its glory, just a decade and a bit after it opened.
And to my surprise there amongst the images is one of the boating lake, which rather threw me given that it isn’t there now, and for a moment I wondered if the postcard company had got the wrong park.
And this I know because I went to one of the authorities on the area which is Bruce Anderson and in particular to his wonderful site, Rusholme and Victoria Park which has several pages devoted to Whitworth Park.
At which stage I won’t steal his research, but rather direct you to the link and to an excellent history of the place.**
Location; Whitworth Park
Pictures; looking out on the park, 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and picture postcards of the park, 1907, courtesy of David Harrop
*Whitworth Park, https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/89321/whitworth_park
*Whitworth Gallery and Park, Rusholme and Victoria Park, https://rusholmearchive.org/whitworth-park-and-gallery
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