Weston Park celebrates 40 years of keeping history alive with new exhibition

The charity that has preserved Weston Park for the last 40 years is marking the milestone with opening of a new free exhibition charting the history of the estate.

It is four decades since the Weston Park Foundation was established and gifted the house, Capability Brown parkland and internationally important collections by the 7th Earl of Bradford.

Since then, the foundation has owned and maintained the estate on the Shropshire and Staffordshire border on behalf of the nation and a new exhibition opening in September will showcase the estate’s evolving story through time.

Running from September 9 to 30 in the Rose Paterson Art Gallery, the ‘40 years: Foundation to Future’ exhibition will explore the people and the stories behind Weston’s past, future and present.

Vikki Duncan, head of collections and engagement, said: “Forty years is an important milestone, but this exhibition is about much more than looking back.

“It is about the people who cared for Weston Park, the decisions and dedication that have shaped its journey and our shared responsibility to ensure it continues to thrive.

“Weston Park has never stood still. It has evolved with every generation and we hope that visitors leave the exhibition with a sense of connection to that story – and to the part that we can all play in its future.”

The exhibition will tell how the foundation has worked to restore buildings on the estate, and how it has conserved collections for thousands of people to enjoy every year.

The exhibition, which forms part of a year-long 40th anniversary programme, will feature old photographs, architectural plans, collection items and voices of those who have played a part in four decades at Weston.

The exhibition is supported by Weston patrons PIA Wealth Management and will be open to visitors daily from 11am to 4pm.