Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Now and Then Local Paintings in Williamson Art Gallery

Is it in Bebbington Rox?

There are loads of local paintings by Harold Hopps in the book 'Hopps Around Wallasey' which came out in 2010.

I seem to think Hopps also played a significant part in the writing of Wallasey's official history ('The Rise & Progress of Wallasey') but he was too modest a man to allow his name to be added to the book's cover.

There's one room with loads of paintings of old Liverpool by one artist (I believe there's also local ones by him stored away) but I've forgotten his name I vaguely think it ends in man - Can anyone tell me so I can look for them?

William Charles Penn ?

You're probably thinking of William Gawin Herdman (d. 1882), who painted about 2000 watercolours of Liverpool in the mid-19th century, most of which are now held by Liverpool Record Office. He also painted a significant number of Wirral views, and many of these are at the Williamson, though they have nowhere near as many on display as they used to.

Thanks marty99fred
Can't seem to find any of his local/Wirral paintings on the internet to look at.
Last time I went to the Williamson they only had Liverpool ones on display, I was told the local ones were stored away in the basement

Thanks marty99fred
Can't seem to find any of his local/Wirral paintings on the internet to look at.
Last time I went to the Williamson they only had Liverpool ones on display, I was told the local ones were stored away in the basement

I remember years ago when I first went to the Williamson that the room where the ship models are now was completely devoted to Local History views, with lots of old prints on the walls and many of Herdman's paintings of early Birkenhead, Tranmere and Bidston. Sadly, when the ship models and attendant paraphernalia were moved into that room some years ago most of the local views were taken down, never to be seen since...unless you make an appointment to view them.