This plaque commemorates the first test run of the jet-propelled engine at British Thomson Houston in Rugby in April 1937.  It was unveiled in 1987 by the inventor, Sir Frank Whittle (1907-1996), to mark the 50th anniversary of the test.  It was originally on the wall of Building 86/86a at the site. As a young man he joined the RAF and was recommended for officer training in 1926. During his training he wrote a thesis on the future development of aircraft engine design. In this he first mentioned the potential for forms of propulsion such as turbine engines. He patented the ideas in ..read more

March's object of the month is this black and white photograph of a van owned by Lennon Bros Ltd., who were a local firm of tobacconists. The Lennon family moved to Rugby in 1904. In 1911, the family lived at “The Globe Hotel” on Railway Terrace. One of the partners of Lennon Bros. Ltd., Ernest Patrick Lennon (1889-1965), was also a member of the Borough Council between 1938-1961. Lennon Close in Hillmorton was named after him and was built in the late 20th Century. His brother, Lionel Lennon (1894-1916), was also a partner. Lionel joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1916. He was kille ..read more

This blue plaque is from Richard Henry Wood’s former residence on Little Church Street in Rugby where he lived from 1874 to 1894.  Wood was an important local figure in the town and a generous benefactor, most noted for his large contribution to the Hospital of St Cross. He also founded the town’s first public library.  Born in Manchester in February 1820, he became a stockbroker and a business partner to an iron merchant, from which he amassed considerable wealth. He moved to Rugby in 1874 where he held positions of the Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Warwickshire.&nb ..read more

2000.353.18 For January’s object of the month we look back at some wintery weather with a photograph of the Oxford Canal near Hillmorton Locks taken 42 years ago in January 1982. It shows large chunks of broken ice on the canal’s surface. Many boats had been left ice-bound by the cold weather. The photograph was taken by Joseph Hogg who worked on the canals for many years.  In early December 1981 the severe cold snap began and continued through to mid-January. It was one of the coldest winters in living memory as people endured blizzard conditions and the lowest ever recorded temperature ..read more

Hiltons Garage was on North Street in Rugby from 1903 to the 1960s.  Originally started by George Hilton as a cycle repair shop, it expanded as the motoring public needed vehicle servicing along with petrol pumps by the roadside. This leather keyring was given to customers with the keys to their new car. The large site, which included lock ups, service areas and a sales floor, was bought in the 1970s to make way for the new shopping centre complex.  The keyring is currently on display in the Local History Gallery as part of the Redding Around Rugby exhibition with photographs of th ..read more

This shield was presented to the Borough of Rugby by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to commemorate the adoption of the HMS Keppel by the Borough during Warship Week.  During the Second World War, cities, towns and villages organised Warship Weeks to raise money to meet the cost of providing a particular naval ship. The scheme was introduced by the National War Savings Committee.  Once enough money had been raised for the ship, the local community would adopt the ship. HMS Keppel was an active destroyer. Its role was sinking German submarines and picking up survivors of vess ..read more

We are very lucky to have a dynamic and flexible space which is mainly due to our panelock wall system. The system works with the walls hanging from a metal track, allowing them to move across the whole gallery space and locking in all different ways to enable us to adapt and change the look and feel of the exhibitions. For some shows like the Rugby Open we need maximum wall space. The Gallery officer will try to accommodate as many walls as possible and make the gallery exciting space for work to hide behind other walls so your journey is always a surprise around the gallery. Other exhib ..read more

Birch Rod 2004.371 This birch rod was owned and used by Dr Thomas Arnold (1795-1842).  Dr Arnold was the renowned headmaster at Rugby School from 1828-1842. He reformed the school and increased intake of pupils by 100 during his time as headmaster. He was immortalised in the novel ‘Tom Brown School Days’ written by Thomas Hughes in 1857. The birch rod, made up of a bundle of long twigs, was used to punish boys at the school.   It was given to the first Rugby library for their museum collection. The library was founded by local philanthropist Richard Henry Wood and opened in 1891.&nb ..read more

This month’s object of the month is a cigarette photocard featuring British Thomson- Houston (BTH) RUFC team. It was produced in 1936 by the Ardath Tobacco Company. It is number 8 (of 110) in Series E ‘Midlands Football Teams’ produced by the company. Also in the same series was the BTH Football Club.  On the reverse of the card are listed the names of club members. The photograph was taken outside the BTH recreation clubhouse on Hillmorton Road in Rugby recognisable from the beautiful glass door and brick archway.  The rugby team at BTH was founded in 1923 and was one of a number ..read more

This month’s object of the month is the Mayor’s Journal for Mayor Councillor F.J. Press, J.P for the year 1953-1954 Frederick James Press (1909-1964) was Rugby's youngest ever Mayor, aged 44. His wife was Elsie Winifred Mullock (1909-1997). They had two sons. The journal was bought at a postcard fair in Birmingham before being donated to the museum last year. It contains many photographs, invitations and menus as well as a diary of what was going on in Rugby during that year. It was compiled by staff at the library. The Mayor and Mayoress were extremely busy during the Coronation Year and atte ..read more