The Friends of the Rydings was founded in 2001 to help support the development and continued operation of The Smith Art Gallery, The Brighouse Library, The War Memorial, and Rydings Park.
Our aim is to ensure the continued development and preservation of the building and its surroundings, while ensuring it has a central role in the community. The Rydings was presented to the people of Brighouse in perpetuity by the town’s then mayor, Alderman William Smith. Alderman Smith expressed his pride at presenting the house ‘as a free gift to the people of Brighouse forever.’
Image by kind permission of Brighouse Echo
The purpose-built Art Gallery and public library, known as ‘The Rydings’, is surrounded by a beautiful park and gardens.
392 names are commemorated for those who lost their lives in the First World War, and a smaller number for the Second World War. Amongst them are the names of 13 men who served with the Yorkshire Regiment.
The gallery was built by Alderman Smith and donated, along with his collection of Victorian artwork, to the people of Brighouse. It was formally opened in 1907 by Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise. She was the first member of the royal family to visit Brighouse.
The library was converted to a free library in 1898 for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.
